Rivers in north, northeast likely to swell amid heavy rainfall forecast

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) today issued a seven-day hydrological and rainfall forecast, warning of heavy to very heavy downpours across the northern and north-eastern regions of the country and their adjoining upstream Indian territories between today and June 21.

According to the bulletin signed by Sardar Udoy Raihan, executive engineer of FFWC, multi-agency data from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), and various global weather organisations indicate a substantial precipitation surge.

Rangpur, Sylhet, and Mymensingh divisions of the country, alongside the neighbouring Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya, are expected to receive heavy rainfall.

Over the next seven days, cumulative rainfall totals could reach between 350mm and 400mm in isolated parts of the northern and north-eastern catchments. These areas have already recorded above-normal rainfall over the past week.

In the northern part of the country, water levels in the Dharla and Dhudkumar rivers are likely to rise rapidly in the next seven days, says the forecast.

According to the forecast, water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna river system receded over the last 24 hours. This trend is likely to remain stable for the next 24 hours before witnessing a steady rise over the following nine days.

However, the water levels are expected to flow safely below their respective danger level of these rivers.

Water levels in the key north-eastern river systems, primarily the Surma and Kushiyara rivers, rose over the last 24 hours. They are projected to climb rapidly at times, threatening to reach warning level and temporarily submerge low-lying riverside areas in the Sylhet and Sunamganj districts.

Water level of major rivers across Sylhet, and Mymensingh divisions, including the Sarigowain, Jadukata, Someswari, Kangsha, Manu, Dholai, and Khowai, are expected to experience rapid hydrological rises over the week.

Meanwhile, the water level of the Ganga-Padma rivers has increased over the past 24 hours.

The water level of the Ganga river may remain stable for the next five days and could increase over the following five days.

The water level of the Padma river may continue to rise for the next 10 days, but it is expected to flow below the danger level.

Meanwhile, according to data provided by the BMD, significant rainfall was recorded across several districts over the last 24 hours.

Mymensingh recorded the highest precipitation with 122 mm of rainfall, followed by Netrokona with 62 mm.

Among other regions, Jashore recorded 50 mm of rainfall, while Sylhet experienced 48 mm of downpour during the same period.