Fresh flood, landslide alerts for north, southeast

The country faces fresh flooding and landslide risks over the coming days, with the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) warning of rising river levels and heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of the country.

The FFWC said four monitoring stations on three rivers in three districts are currently flowing above their respective danger levels: the Kushiyara at Fenchuganj in Sylhet and at Markuli in Sunamganj, the Surma at Chatak in Sunamganj, and the Someshwari at Kalmakanda in Netrokona.

The BMD, in a heavy rainfall warning issued on Tuesday, said an active monsoon is likely to bring heavy rainfall (44-88mm in 24 hours) to very heavy rainfall (over 88mm in 24 hours) at places over Barishal and Chattogram divisions during the 48 hours from 6:00am on 22 July. 

The Met Office cautioned that such rainfall could trigger landslides on vulnerable slopes in the hilly areas of Chattogram Division.

In the Rangpur region, water levels of the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers have risen and may continue to do so over the next 24 hours before stabilising. 

The rivers could cross danger levels at some points, causing flash or short-term flooding in low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram districts.

In the northeast, water levels in the Surma-Kushiyara river system are also rising and are expected to keep climbing over the next two days, with flood conditions in low-lying parts of Sylhet and Sunamganj likely to deteriorate slightly as the rivers exceed danger levels at several points. 

The River Someshwari, meanwhile, has receded slightly, and the flood situation in Netrokona is expected to remain stable over the next 48 hours.

In the northwest, the Atrai and Chhoto Jamuna rivers are rising and may continue over the next three days. 
The Atrai could cross the danger level in Naogaon, while the Atrai in Natore and Sirajganj, and the Chhoto Jamuna in Naogaon, may flow at warning levels, inundating adjacent low-lying areas.

The FFWC further said water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges have increased, while the Padma has remained stable. 

The Brahmaputra-Jamuna may reach warning levels in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura, Sirajganj and Tangail over the next 24 to 72 hours, causing inundation in nearby low-lying areas.

In the southeast, rivers including the Muhuri, Feni, Selonia and Sangu are rising. Between 22 and 23 July, the Sangu, Matamuhuri and other rivers in Bandarban, Cox's Bazar and Chattogram may reach warning levels, causing temporary flooding in adjacent low-lying areas.

Authorities have advised residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant, as the active monsoon is expected to keep river levels elevated and heighten the risk of flash floods and slope failures over the coming days.