Flash Flood Risk Rises as Rivers Swell: FFWC

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned of a heightened risk of flash floods across parts of Bangladesh over the next 24 to 72 hours as persistent monsoon rainfall continues to raise water levels in major rivers across the eastern, southeastern, northeastern and northern regions.

According to the latest forecast, several rivers in the Chattogram Division—including the Gomati, Muhuri, Feni, Selonia, Halda, Sangu and Matamuhuri—may flow above the danger level at different points in Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Feni, Chattogram and Khagrachhari districts.

The FFWC said the rising river levels could trigger flash floods in adjacent low-lying areas within the next one to three days.

It also warned that low-lying areas along rivers in Lakshmipur and Noakhali districts may experience temporary inundation as water levels continue to rise.

In the northeast, the Surma and Kushiyara rivers are forecast to rise rapidly over the next three days and may reach the warning level in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, increasing the risk of flash floods in nearby low-lying areas.

The FFWC further said the Sari-Gowain, Someswari, Jadukata and Bhugai rivers are also expected to rise sharply and may cross the danger level at several locations in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Netrokona, Sherpur and Mymensingh districts within the next 24 to 72 hours, posing a significant flood threat.

In northern Bangladesh, the Teesta River is likely to cross the danger level within the next 24 to 48 hours, raising concerns for low-lying areas in Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts.

Meanwhile, the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers are expected to remain near the warning level in Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts over the next 72 hours.

The warning follows very heavy rainfall across the Chattogram Division during the past 24 hours, while heavy to very heavy rainfall was also recorded in the Sylhet and Barishal divisions, as well as in the upstream Indian states of Meghalaya and Tripura.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and global weather agencies, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to continue over the next four days across the Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions, along with adjoining upstream areas in Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal.

The continued rainfall is expected to keep river levels high and further increase the risk of flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

Meteorologists said the monsoon low-pressure system, previously located over Odisha and adjoining southern Jharkhand in India, has weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area after moving northwestward.

Although the system is now centred over eastern Madhya Pradesh, it continues to influence monsoon activity across Bangladesh and neighbouring regions, sustaining the threat of heavy rainfall and flooding.