Several days of continuous rain have sent the haor rivers of the north-east rising fast, raising fears of flash floods in the Sylhet region. According to the weather forecast, heavy rain over the next few days could make the situation more complicated.

The information came in a release sent on the evening of 28 April by the Meteorological Department and the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board.

According to the Water Development Board forecast, water is rising fast in the main rivers of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts: the Surma, Kushiyara, Manu, Khowai and Juri. Although the water has not yet crossed the danger level, it is feared that it may exceed the pre-monsoon danger level within the next 24 hours. This could cause floods in low-lying riverside areas of Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts.

Partha Pratim Barua, the officer in charge at the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, said no river had crossed the danger level up to Tuesday morning, but the water was rising fast and the situation was being monitored.

The Dhanu-Baulai and Bhugai-Kangsha rivers may also rise, which could take water to the warning level in some areas of Netrokona and Kishoreganj districts.

The Meteorological Department said heavy to very heavy rain could fall in the north-eastern haor areas over the next three days, and this is what is driving the rivers up.

Up to the morning of 28 April, the highest rainfall, 146 millimetres, was recorded in Sreemangal. Sylhet recorded 127.2 millimetres over the same period.

According to the latest forecast from the Sylhet weather office, the sky over the Sylhet region may be partly cloudy to temporarily overcast over the next 24 hours, with light to moderate rain or thundershowers. Moderately heavy to very heavy rain may fall in places. People have been advised to stay alert, as gusty or stormy winds and lightning may accompany the rain.

Assistant meteorologist Shah Md Sajib Hossain of the Sylhet weather office said Sylhet recorded 127.2 millimetres of rain from 6am on Monday to 6am on Tuesday, and a further 1.2 millimetres from 6am to 6pm on Tuesday.

In a release on 28 April, meteorologist A K M Nazmul Haque said that until Saturday (2 May), parts of Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions could get heavy rain of 44 to 88 millimetres in 24 hours, and very heavy rain of more than 88 millimetres. Rain and thundershowers may also occur over the same period.

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