Heavy rain continues in the Indian state of Meghalaya, where the village of Mawsynram recorded 530 millimetres of rain in just 24 hours. Experts say such unusual upstream rainfall could quickly raise rivers in north-eastern Bangladesh (Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions) and along the border, creating a flood risk.

Indian meteorologists said the rain that fell in Mawsynram in a single night equals more than six months' rainfall in the dry regions of India's Rajasthan state.

Other parts of Meghalaya also received significant rain. According to the weather department, RKM Sohra recorded 470mm and Mawkyrwat 390mm.

Shella received 100mm, Williamnagar and Mawryngkneng 90mm each, Jowai 80mm, and Barapani and Ratacherra 70mm each.

The continuous heavy rain has also damaged infrastructure. A section of the national highway linking Shillong with Dawki, on the India-Bangladesh border, has been damaged. District officials said part of the road below the town of Laitlyngkot, about 35 kilometres south of Shillong, was washed away by the force of the rainwater.

No casualties were reported, but the damage has disrupted road links with Dawki, and traffic on the route is expected to be affected.

The authorities are closely monitoring the weather, as the effects of heavy rain are growing in several parts of the state.

According to experts, water coming down from Meghalaya's hills flows into the rivers and haor areas of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona and Moulvibazar in Bangladesh. If such unusually heavy rain continues upstream, including in Mawsynram, rivers along Bangladesh's border could rise quickly.

Although no formal flood warning has been issued, several hundred millimetres of rain in a short time in Meghalaya is a cause for concern for north-eastern Bangladesh, they say. If similar heavy rain continues in the coming days, low-lying and haor areas could face flash floods or waterlogging.

The flow of Bangladesh's upstream-fed rivers is therefore being closely watched alongside the weather in Meghalaya. With continuous heavy rain able to change the situation quickly, the authorities concerned are on alert.

The report draws on India Today North-East.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.