Due to heavy rainfall expected in the next 24 hours, floods could hit the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, and Kurigram, including char regions.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) issued a warning and forecast regarding this concern on Friday.
Executive Engineer Sardar Udar Rahman reported that the current status of rivers across the country shows that the water levels of all major rivers are flowing below the danger level due to the low pressure in the Bay of Bengal and rainfall nationwide.
Consequently, flooding could occur in the next 24 hours.
In Rangpur Division, the water levels of the Teesta and Dharla rivers are rising, while the water level of the Dudhkumar River remains stable and is flowing below the danger level.
According to weather offices, there is a possibility of very heavy rainfall (289 mm/24 hours) in Rangpur division and adjacent upstream areas in the next 24 hours, with a decrease in rainfall expected over the following two days.
As a result, the water levels of the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers could rise rapidly over the next 24 hours, remain stable for one day, and then decrease afterward.
Given this situation, the water levels of the Teesta River in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, and Kurigram may reach warning levels in the next 24 hours, and certain char regions and low-lying areas in these districts could become inundated.
However, the water levels of the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers in Kurigram are expected to remain below the danger level for the next three days.
Other major rivers in Rangpur Division, such as the Upper Korotoa, Upper Atrai, Tangon, Punorbhaba, Ichamati-Jamuna, and Jamuneshwari, are experiencing rising water levels. These rivers are expected to continue rising over the next 24 hours and remain stable for one day, but will flow below the danger level. After that, a decrease in water levels is anticipated.
The Brahmaputra River in Rangpur Division and the Jamuna River downstream are also experiencing rising water levels but are flowing below the danger level.
The water levels of the Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers are expected to remain stable for the next five days.
In Rajshahi Division, the Ganges River is experiencing a decrease in water levels, while the Padma River downstream remains stable and is flowing below the danger level.
The water levels of the Ganges and Padma rivers may decrease slowly over the next two days, remain stable for one day, and then increase over the following two days, although still below the danger level.
In Sylhet Division, the Surma and Kushiara rivers are experiencing rising water levels but are flowing below the danger level.
The water levels of other major rivers such as the Manu, Khowai, and Dhalai are decreasing, while the water levels of the Sameshwari and Bhugai rivers are rising, and the Sarigoin and Kangsha rivers are stable. These rivers are also flowing below the danger level, with a potential decrease in water levels expected over the next three days.
In Chittagong Division, the water levels of the Muhuri, Feni, Sangu, Matamuhuri, and Gomti rivers are decreasing, while the Halda River's water level remains stable. Over the next three days, there is a low likelihood of heavy rainfall (44-88 mm/24 hours) in the division and adjacent upstream areas, which may lead to a decrease in water levels in the rivers.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, as there are no low-pressure systems in the relevant areas of the Bay of Bengal, normal tidal conditions are expected in the coastal rivers of Barishal and Khulna divisions for the next three days.
