[🇧🇩] Smart Flood Management for Bangladesh

[Saif]

Flood warning issued in six districts after heavy rainfall

The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has issued a flood alert for six districts in the northeast and eastern regions of the country following heavy rainfall. According to a bulletin released by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) on Thursday, low-lying areas in Feni, Sylhet, S

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Flood warning issued in six districts after heavy rainfall

Published :
May 29, 2025 21:06
Updated :
May 29, 2025 21:06

The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has issued a flood alert for six districts in the northeast and eastern regions of the country following heavy rainfall.

According to a bulletin released by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) on Thursday, low-lying areas in Feni, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Netrokona are at risk of flooding.

The Muhuri River in Feni is expected to rise above the danger level within the next two days due to continuous rainfall.

Other rivers in the Chattogram Division, including the Gomti and Feni, are also likely to swell, reports bdnews24.com.

While the Muhuri may crest above the danger mark, the BWDB forecasts that water levels in these rivers could begin receding after a day.

In the Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, rivers such as the Shari-Goyain, Jadukata, Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, and Someshwari are projected to rise over the next three days, potentially exceeding danger levels.

This increases the risk of flooding in adjacent low-lying areas across Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Netrokona.

In the Rangpur Division, water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers are also expected to rise in the coming days, with the Teesta likely to flow near the danger line.

Meanwhile, tidal surges may cause temporarily elevated water levels in coastal rivers across the Barishal, Khulna, and Chattogram divisions over the next two days.

The Surma and Kushiyara Rivers, although currently receding, are forecast to rise again within three days, but are expected to remain below danger levels.

Similarly, the Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers are seeing a gradual decline, though their levels may begin to rise again within four days without crossing danger thresholds.

The Ganges river remains stable, while water in the Padma is slowly increasing.

Both are expected to continue rising over the next five days but are likely to remain below the danger threshold.​

 

[Saif]

The looming threat of floods

That floods in this deltaic plain are recurrent is no news. The news is that the timing of this type of natural calamity has changed remarkably. Floods and the monsoon are interlinked. Before the month of Ashar on the Bangla calendar, the onset of monsoon was unimaginable. But this unprecedented ph

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

The looming threat of floods

Neil Ray
Published :
Jun 02, 2025 00:13
Updated :
Jun 02, 2025 00:13

That floods in this deltaic plain are recurrent is no news. The news is that the timing of this type of natural calamity has changed remarkably. Floods and the monsoon are interlinked. Before the month of Ashar on the Bangla calendar, the onset of monsoon was unimaginable. But this unprecedented phenomenon now looks all set to become a reality. At a time when in mid-Jaistha, sweltering heat was the norm with hardly any rain, the country this year is experiencing an early monsoon brought ahead by at least two weeks. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has confirmed this. The heavy rains most of the country has witnessed over the past few days have threatened to cause floods in at least four districts in the north-eastern region of the country. Sunamganj, Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Netrakona districts are under threat of floods.

With the possibility of heavy rainfall continuing for five more days in the Sylhet region and mid-northern part of the country, the rivers there are likely to be in spate. The situation has been further complicated by the excessive rains in Mehgalaya where Cherrapunji is known for the heaviest rainfall in the whole world, which is located just on the other side of the border of north-eastern Bangladesh. To make the matter worse, excessive rainfall in that upper riparian Indian state comes rushing down the common rivers flowing between the two countries.

So, the country has to brace for floods in the making. Mercifully, though, this time Boro harvest in the haor areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj was completed earlier. For the last few years it had been a race against time for farmers to harvest the main crop of that area. The floods that caused extensive damage to standing Aman crop in wide areas of Feni and Cumilla in July-August last year actually had a negative impact on the country's food reserve. The newly installed interim government had to bear the brunt of this food shortage because millers and traders seized the opportunity of raising the staple price to a new level that still refuses to come down to the level before that astronomical price escalation.

Even if the projected floods strike after harvest of the main crop, the areas apprehended to fall under the calamity's sway will suffer a lot. The suffering will depend on the enormity of floods. Sylhet's sufferings due to floods last year was no less telling. The visitation of floods in the hilly areas is different from those in plain lands. Torrential rains conspire with rivers flowing in full spate to create strong currents that sweep everything ahead of those. On that count, damage to crops including vegetables, livestock and immovable property is far greater than in areas where flat plain can disperse the flow of waters to temper the speed.

The rains of the past few days have already made some impact on the market. Almost all kinds of vegetables have become dearer and if floods wreak havoc with such green crops, their price will shoot up triggering inflation that gave an indication of relenting during the past few months. Struggling to stay afloat, the country's economy will be in real danger if a natural calamity causes widespread disruptions to its agriculture. Last time the administrative response to various needs of the flood-stricken and displaced people was poor. Let the administrative apparatuses responsible for undertaking relief and rehabilitation works be kept ready for any eventuality for an early and effective response.

Climate has become capricious and the monsoon's arrival earlier than schedule speaks volume for the unexpected exigencies the government will have to handle. There should be more allocation for short-term relief and rehabilitation of people falling victim to river erosion, floods, storms and cyclones. The frequency of such Nature's convulsions including earthquake has become higher over the past few years. These may be considered an early warning for what the nations everywhere, particularly this calamity-prone country, are expected to encounter in the days to come. At a time when the pipeline of international aid has been drying up, the challenge will prove even more daunting than before.​

 

[Saif]

Flash flood vulnerability should be reduced

FLOODING from incessant rain caused by the recent depression in the Bay of Bengal has remained somewhat unchanged while the government’s disaster management and relief efforts are barely visible. Four of the five north-eastern rivers that were flowing above their danger marks further swelled, as...

www.newagebd.net

Flash flood vulnerability should be reduced
05 June, 2025, 00:00

FLOODING from incessant rain caused by the recent depression in the Bay of Bengal has remained somewhat unchanged while the government’s disaster management and relief efforts are barely visible. Four of the five north-eastern rivers that were flowing above their danger marks further swelled, as the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre reported in its last cycle on June 3. It is likely that rain would continue and some areas will remain flooded in the north-east. The onrush of water from the upstream region in India into these rivers has forced several hundred families to move to safety, also to flood shelter centres. The death toll from the flash flood and landslide has, meanwhile, already reached 15. Road connectivity and economic activities in the flood-hit areas have been disrupted. It is concerning that the government’s role has so far been limited to observing the disaster situation and issuing warnings, especially when flash floods from heavy rain became a cause for concern in the recent past.

Preventive efforts to minimise the loss of life and public suffering from heavy rainfall should have already been in place. That has not, however, been the case. In Sylhet, the government has opened flood shelters but was not prompt enough to relocate people living in areas at landslide risk. The death of four members of a family from landslides in Sylhet speaks of the government’s inaction. Emergency response to help to alleviate the sufferings of people is the need of the hour, but equally important it is to address the root cause of frequent flash flooding. Local leaders put the flash flood mainly down to the unplanned construction of roads and other infrastructure that, too, grabbing canals and blocking low-lying areas that could, otherwise, drain out floodwater. Such infrastructure also includes long stretches of rural roads that block water from receding. Coupled with this is the problem of waning capacity of the rivers and canals to deal with excess water flow coming from the upstream.

In this context, the government should immediately take steps to minimise the loss of life and public suffering in the north-eastern flood-affected areas. In doing so, it should take early steps to relocate people living in areas already identified as risky for landslides and arrange transport and shelter for people living in the worst-hit areas. More important, the government should ensure emergency food and cash aid for people directly affected by the flash flood and landslide from the heavy rainfall. It should also pull down road stretches and infrastructure that block the natural flow of floodwater and dredge the rivers to increase their capacity to flush out floodwater and collected rainwater.​

 

[Saif]

Low-lying areas face flood risk

Low-lying areas in some eastern and north-eastern areas might witness brief flooding by June 20 because of the very heavy rainfall likely to continue over vast swathes of land in Bangladesh and its adjacent upstream areas in India.

www.newagebd.net

Low-lying areas face flood risk
Maritime ports asked to hoist signal 3
Staff Correspondent 18 June, 2025, 00:09

Low-lying areas in some eastern and north-eastern areas might witness brief flooding by June 20 because of the very heavy rainfall likely to continue over vast swathes of land in Bangladesh and its adjacent upstream areas in India.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre on Tuesday afternoon forecast that the rivers of Muhuri, Sarigowain, Jadukata and Someswari might flow at their danger marks during the forecast period till June 20.

Low-lying areas in Feni, Sylhet, Sunamganj and Netrakona districts are at risk of going under water.

Bangladesh is witnessing intermittent light to moderate rainfall since June 15 due to active monsoon and the wet spell is likely to intensify following the formation of a low pressure area in the south-western Bangladesh and its adjacent areas.

On Tuesday, the BMD said, Bangladesh’s highest maximum rainfall of 118mm, in the 24 hours until 6:00pm, was recorded at Sitakunda in Chattogram.

Most of Bangladesh is likely to receive light to moderate rainfall amidst thunderstorms today and next three days, the BMD said in a forecast issued at 6:00pm Tuesday.

Potential heavy to very heavy rainfall may cause landslides in Chattogram, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari and Cox’s Bazar, the BMD said.

Temporary waterlogging may also occur in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, it also said.

Thunderstorms, accompanied by gusty wind, reaching up to 60kmph might occur over large parts of the country, prompting the BMD to issue Signal Number One for all river ports.

The active monsoon and thunder clouds lying over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas in the country might also leave the sea rough, the meteorological office said.

All four maritime ports have been asked to hoist cautionary Signal Number Three and all fishing boats and trawlers were asked to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

This is the second significant spell of rain since the monsoon onset in late May, earliest in the last four decades.

Dhaka recorded 38mm rainfall in the 24 hours until 6:00pm Tuesday.

The flood forecasting centre also warned that rivers in the country, particularly in south-eastern, eastern and north-eastern regions, might as well rapidly swell during its forecast period until June 20.​

 

[Saif]

Flood threat looms over Feni as Muhuri river swells 137cm above danger level

Four breaches occurred in Parshuram upazila and three in Fulgazi

www.thedailystar.net

Flood threat looms over Feni as Muhuri river swells 137cm above danger level

Continuous rainfall and upstream water from India have triggered a sharp rise in river levels across Feni, prompting fears of renewed flooding in the district.

At 9:00pm today, Executive Engineer of the Feni Water Development Board Akter Hossain Majumder confirmed that the Muhuri river was flowing 137cm above the danger mark, with breaches reported at seven points along flood control embankments on the Muhuri, Kahua, and Silonia rivers.

Of these, four breaches occurred in Parshuram upazila and three in Fulgazi.

Photo: Collected

Local officials said the embankments are under increasing pressure as water levels continue to rise. Earlier in the day, a section of road along the Muhuri river in Fulgazi collapsed, submerging nearby shops and severing road connectivity between Fulgazi Bazar and Rajeshpur.

In response, the district administration has declared all primary and secondary schools as emergency shelters, said Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam.

Most educational institutions have suspended classes and exams temporarily, although no directive has yet been issued regarding ongoing HSC board exams.

Heavy rainfall began last afternoon and has since inundated Feni town. Streets in several neighbourhoods -- including Shaheed Shahidullah Kaiser Road, Rampur Shaheen Academy, Pathan Bari, Nazir Road, Shanti Company Road, and Petrobangla -- are submerged under 2-3 feet of water, causing severe waterlogging and disrupting daily life.

Residents, particularly day labourers and transport workers, are bearing the brunt of the crisis.

"We haven't recovered from last year's flood damage," said auto-rickshaw driver Belayet Hossain. "If this rain continues, we'll face another disaster."

Fulgazi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Faria Islam reported that two shops were swept away when the embankment near Rajeshpur collapsed around 7:00am today. Road access to the village remains cut off.

Meanwhile, Feni Sadar UNO Sultana Nasrin Kanta said that midterm exams have been suspended in several schools due to rising water levels.

"We've issued notices to affected institutions, but no update has come from the education board regarding board exams," she added.​