After continuous rain and hill torrents from India caused flash floods in Habiganj and Moulvibazar, flooding now threatens Sylhet and Sunamganj. With rivers rising fast, the two districts may flood within the next 24 to 72 hours.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board gave the information in a special report on the evening of 10 July.

The FFWC said water in the Khowai, Manu and Kushiyara rivers in the north-east had already crossed the danger level at several points. The Kushiyara was flowing 22 cm above the danger level at the Markuli point in Sunamganj and 15 cm above at the Fenchuganj point in Sylhet. The Surma, Kushiyara and Manu may rise further over the next 24 to 72 hours.

The forecast said the flood situation may worsen in low-lying parts of Sylhet and Sunamganj along the Kushiyara and Surma. The Sarigowain, Someshwari, Jadukata and Bhugai-Kangsha rivers may also cross the danger level at some places.

According to the FFWC, a low-pressure area over the north-west Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas has brought very heavy rain over the past few days to Sylhet division and to Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal in India. It may continue from 10 to 12 July, with 200 to 250 mm of rain possible in Sylhet and nearby upstream areas.

Seven districts of the country are currently flood-hit, and eight more are at risk of flooding in the next 24 to 72 hours, the agency said. Habiganj and Moulvibazar are already flooded, while Sylhet and Sunamganj have been put on the list of high-risk districts.

Sardar Uday Raihan, executive engineer of the FFWC, said the coming days would depend on rainfall in the north-east and upstream. If the rain continues, a short-term flood is feared in the Sylhet region. The centre's control room is being kept open 24 hours to monitor the situation.

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