The low-lying areas of different northern districts including Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari have been inundated as the water level of the major rivers has increased.
The Teesta River at Dalia point may rise and the flood situation in the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts may deteriorate over 24 hours, said Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
According to FFWC, the Dharla river at Kurigram and the Dudhkumar river at Pateswari point may flow close to their respective danger levels, while the Surma river at Sunamganj point may cross its danger level for a short duration in 24 hours, it said.
Besides, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Padma rivers are on a rising trend, which may continue over 48 hours. According to meteorological agencies, there is a chance of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the northern and adjoining upstream regions of the country in 24 hours. As a result, during this period, the upper Karatoya, the upper Atrai, the Punarbhaba, the Kulik and the Tangon rivers of this region may rise rapidly at times.
Besides, water has started entering the houses.
The water in the Dudhkumar River has risen and is flowing 8 cm above the danger mark at Pateshwari Point at 9am on Thursday.
Along with this, the water of Dharla and Brahmaputra is also increasing at a significant rate.
Water is entering in the lower areas of Raiganj and Bamondanga unions of Nageshwari Upazila and Andharirjhar Union of Bhurungamari upazila along the bank of Dudhkumar River. As the water continues to rise, some lower areas of Brahmaputra river have started flooding in Jatrapur union of Sadar and Begumganj union of Ulipur upazila. Some houses also have been submerged in the water.
According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the water in the main rivers of the district continues to rise. From 9am on Wednesday to 9am on Thursday, the water in Dudhkumar river rose by 26 cm at Pateshwari point and was flowing 8 cm above the danger level.
At that time, Brahmaputra water rose by 23cm at Nunkhawa point and 17cm at Chilmari point and was flowing below the danger mark.
Water in Dharla rose by 13 cm at the bridge point and was flowing below the danger level. But at the same time the Teesta water was somewhat stable.
According to BWDB's forecast, the Brahmaputra river may cross the danger level at Chilmari point as the water continues to rise in the next few days.
This may cause short-term flood situation in river bank areas including grazing areas, according to BWDB.
According to a report, rainfall is currently taking place under the influence of monsoon over Bangladesh and the upstream basin of India's Arunachal, Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal.
As a result the water of Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers is increasing. Due to heavy rainfall upstream, the Brahmaputra river may rise to the danger level by the third week of July.
Due to the same reason, the water of Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers may also increase.
On Thursday morning, it was found that water has started entering the houses in the lower areas of Jatrapur union of Kurigram Sadar of Brahmaputra River basin, Begumganj union of Ulipur upazila, Andharirjhar of Bhurungamari upazila of Dudhkumar basin and Raiganj union of Nageshwari upazila.
Water entered Fanderchar, Char Damal village, Megher Char and Adarsh Bazar villages of Ward No 6 of Raiganj Union.
The disaster management wing of the district administration has made necessary preparations to deal with possible floods.
Four rescue boats, four speedboats and more than two hundred local boats have been kept ready for rescue operations in the affected areas. Along with this, scouts, rover Scouts and Red Crescent volunteers are on standby.
Abdullah Al Mamun, executive engineer of PWDB Kurigram, said: "The water in the Dudhkumar river may increase in the next 24 hours. According to the forecast, the water in the Brahmaputra river will increase till July 17. This may cause short-term flooding in low-lying areas.”
