Bangladesh's flood situation deteriorated further on Friday as days of torrential monsoon rain and upstream flows inundated large parts of the southeast, northeast and northern river basins, prompting fresh evacuations, disrupting public services and raising fears of further flooding over the next 24 to 72 hours.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board's Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said five rivers were flowing above danger level on Friday morning, while several others remained at or close to warning level. The Sangu, Matamuhuri, Kushiyara, Manu and Khowai rivers were above danger level at multiple monitoring stations, while the Teesta, Surma, Someshwari and parts of the Kushiyara basin continued rising.
The FFWC warned that short-term flooding could newly affect parts of Feni, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Sherpur, Mymensingh, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur over the next one to three days, although water levels in parts of Bandarban, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Moulvibazar and Habiganj may begin to recede gradually if rainfall eases.
Southern Chattogram worst hit
The most severe flooding remained concentrated in southern Chattogram, where swollen Sangu and Dolu rivers submerged vast areas of Satkania, Lohagara and Banshkhali upazilas.
District authorities estimate around half a million people have been stranded, including roughly 300,000 in Satkania alone after embankment failures inundated all villages under 17 unions and the municipality. Floodwaters have cut road links, disrupted electricity and mobile communications in many areas, while shortages of rescue boats have slowed relief operations.
In neighbouring Lohagara, floodwaters entered hundreds of homes, forcing emergency evacuations of elderly residents and pregnant women. In Banshkhali, extensive flooding damaged Aman seedbeds and fish farms, leaving thousands of farming families facing heavy losses.
Flooding has also spread to Chakaria and the newly created Matamuhuri upazila in Cox's Bazar, where more than 200,000 people have reportedly been stranded.
Hill districts battle floods and landslides
In Rangamati, although rainfall eased after 92 millimetres were recorded over the past 24 hours, floodwaters continued to inundate low-lying areas of Baghaichhari and Barkal.
The district administration said landslides had occurred at 125 locations across seven upazilas. More than 4,390 people are sheltering in 40 emergency centres, while around 370 marooned families are being evacuated. Army personnel also rescued tourists stranded in Sajek.
Authorities continue to maintain high alert across Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari because saturated hillsides remain highly vulnerable to further landslides.
Northeast prepares for renewed flooding
The flood situation also remains critical in the northeast.
Moulvibazar continues to face widespread inundation after breaches along the Dhalai River embankment submerged dozens of villages, while Habiganj and Sylhet remain on alert as the Kushiyara, Surma and Khowai rivers continue rising.
District administrations have opened hundreds of shelters and warned residents in vulnerable riverside and hilly areas to prepare for evacuation should water levels rise further.
Teesta crosses danger mark
In northern Bangladesh, the Teesta River crossed the danger level at the Dalia Barrage point on Thursday night after fresh upstream inflows.
By 9:00 pm, the river stood three centimetres above the danger mark, prompting fresh warnings for low-lying char areas in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha. The BWDB said it is monitoring the river round the clock and cautioned that further upstream rainfall could worsen the situation.
Weather outlook
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said active monsoon conditions are expected to persist over the coming five days, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely across much of the country, particularly Chattogram, Sylhet, Cox's Bazar and the hill districts.
The department has kept Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 in force for the seaports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra because of squally weather over the northern Bay of Bengal, while river ports in 17 districts have been advised to display Warning Signal No. 1 due to gusty winds.
Emergency measures
The worsening flood situation has disrupted education, with Saturday's Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations suspended across the five districts under the Chattogram Education Board-Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari. Authorities have asked examination centres to announce the postponement through loudspeakers where power outages persist.
Emergency shelters remain open across affected districts as government agencies, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and local administrations continue distributing relief supplies, although access to several remote communities remains hampered by submerged roads and a shortage of rescue boats.
Officials urged residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas to remain alert and follow evacuation instructions as rainfall and upstream river flows continue to pose significant risks over the coming days.
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