Floods continue in Netrokona, Moulvibazar, while Habiganj, Sylhet, Sunamganj at risk

Low-lying areas of Netrokona and Moulvibazar districts have been inundated following heavy rainfall in the last couple of days, while three more districts – Habiganj, Sylhet and Sunamganj – face risk of flooding.

Paddy fields in different areas including Moulvibazar and Habiganj were submerged due the rainfall, prompting the government to take necessary preparation for assisting the affected farmers.

The Bhugai-Kongsho river system at the Jariajanjail point, the Someswari and Mogra rivers in Netrokona, and the Manu River in Moulvibazar, are flowing above the pre-monsoon danger level, said Mostafa Kamal Jihan assistant engineer (Duty Forecasting Officer) of Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) in Dhaka.

In the last 24 hours till Wednesday morning, water levels of the Surma-Kushiyara and Dhanu-Baulai systems in the haor basin of the northeastern region have risen; however, all rivers are flowing below the pre-monsoon danger level, according to FFWC.

During that period, moderate-heavy to heavy rainfall has been observed in the upstream areas of the northeastern region, and heavy to very heavy rainfall has occurred within the haor basin. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and global weather agencies, heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast in this region over the next three days.

Water levels of the Surma-Kushiyara river system in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts may rise over the next three days. At the end of the period, the Kushiyara River may flow above the pre-monsoon danger level, and the Surma River may flow near the warning level. As a result, flood conditions may develop in the low-lying areas adjacent to the haor in Sylhet district, said the FFWC.

Water levels of the Bhugai-Kongsho river system in Netrokona may also rise over the next three days, and flood conditions may worsen in the low-lying haor areas in the district.

Meanwhile, water levels of the Dhanu-Baulai river system in Netrokona and Kishoreganj districts may rise over the same period. The Baulai River at the Khaliajuri point may flow above the pre-monsoon danger level within the next 24 hours, which may further deteriorate the flood situation in the haor adjacent low-lying areas in Netrokona.

Water levels of the Manu, Khowai, and Juri rivers in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts may rise over the same period. The Khowai and Juri rivers may rise rapidly within the next 24 hours and flow above the pre-monsoon danger level. As a result, flood conditions may worsen in the haor-adjacent low-lying areas of Moulvibazar district, and flood conditions may develop in Habiganj.

Water level at 4 rivers rises

The water levels in four rivers in the northeastern regions were flowing above the danger level, according to FFWC. 

Among them, the Bhugai-Kangsha River in Netrokona district was flowing 82 cm above the pre-monsoon danger level. The Someshwari River was flowing 50 cm above the pre-monsoon danger level. The Mogra River was flowing 2 cm above the pre-monsoon danger level.

Meanwhile, the Manu River in Moulvibazar district was flowing 72 cm above the pre-monsoon danger level.

Paddy fields submerged in Moulvibazar, Habiganj

Continuous rainfall and upstream surges of rainwater have submerged Boro paddy fields in Moulvibazar and Habiganj.

Most of the matured paddy in Moulvibazar is now under water, leaving farmers distressed as they are unable to harvest their crops.

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Farmers said that several areas have been inundated due to two days of continuous rainfall. Paddy that had not been affected by flooding on Tuesday night went under water by Wednesday morning.

According to sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Boro paddy has been cultivated on 62,400 hectares of land in the district this season. Of this, 27,355 hectares are in haor areas, where about 83 % of the paddy has already been harvested. In non-haor areas, paddy has been cultivated on 35,000 hectares, of which only 17% has been harvested.

In Habiganj, more than 5,000 acres of Boro paddy have been submerged in four upazilas of the district. Even those who managed to harvest their crops are now seeing their paddy getting soaked in the fields, as the lack of sunshine is preventing them from drying and storing it.