Rainfall above normal, including heavy rain, is likely in northern Bangladesh and the adjoining upstream areas over the next 10 days, from 21 to 30 June.

As a result, short-term flooding could occur over the next seven days in low-lying areas along the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts in the north, and along the Surma and Kushiyara in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts in the north-east.

Low-lying areas along the Bhugai-Kangsha and Someshwari rivers in Netrokona, Mymensingh and Sherpur districts in the north-east could also be temporarily flooded in places.

The information came in the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre's weekly outlook on water levels, issued on Sunday (21 June).

Based on data from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the India Meteorological Department and global weather agencies, the outlook says heavy rain is forecast from 21 to 28 June, or around that period, in Rangpur, Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions and the adjoining upstream areas of India's West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya.

These areas received above-normal rain over the past seven days. Over the next 10 days (21 to 30 June), above-normal rain including heavy rain may fall in the north and north-east of Bangladesh and the adjoining upstream areas, with up to 350 to 400 millimetres in places.

• Northern basin (Rangpur division): the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rose over the past 24 hours. They may rise overall over the next seven days, rapidly at times, and could flow above the danger level in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Rangpur districts, causing short-term flooding in low-lying riverside areas.
• North-eastern basin (Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions): the Someshwari, Jinjiram and Bhugai fell over the past 24 hours, while the Sarigowain, Jadukata and Kangsha rose. These rivers may rise overall over the next seven days, rapidly at times. The Bhugai-Kangsha and Someshwari could reach the warning level in Netrokona, Mymensingh and Sherpur districts, temporarily flooding some low-lying riverside areas.
• Eastern and south-eastern basin (Chattogram division): the Muhuri and Halda fell over the past 24 hours, while the Feni, Halda, Sangu, Matamuhuri, Selonia and Gumti were steady. These rivers may rise overall over the next seven days, rapidly at times.

Sardar Uday Raihan, executive engineer at the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, told Jago News that Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions had received more rain over the past two days, while heavy rain also fell in the adjoining upstream areas and Meghalaya, with 500 millimetres recorded in some places. As a result, short-term flooding could occur in three divisions over the next 10 days.

Flash floods (hill-water surges) could also occur, he said, but that will depend on how much rain falls. "We are monitoring."

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