The flood situation in Sunamganj's Tahirpur upazila worsens due to continuous rain and an influx of water from upstream, following a brief period of improvement. — FE Photo Incessant rain and the onrush of water from upstream have raised fears of flooding once again in the Sylhet region and landslides in the Chattogram region.
Our correspondent in Chattogram reports that the Chattogram division is at high risk of fresh landslides as the hills here are becoming vulnerable due to continuous heavy rain.
Meanwhile, landslides have already occurred in Ruma upazila in Bandarban, causing disruptions to road communications since Monday noon.
Chattogram deputy commissioner Abul Bashar Mohammed Fakruzzaman told the FE that there is a risk of landslides due to days of downpour.
"The district administration has taken steps, including miking, in hills and hillside areas to shift dwellers and save their lives."
The local meteorological department recorded a total of 68.5 mm of rainfall from 3:00 pm to 3:00 am on Monday.
On the other hand, the Bay of Bengal remains very rough due to monsoon winds, forcing the Met office to hoist signal number 03 for the Chattogram seaport.
Meteorologists at the Patenga Met office fear the danger of landslides in mountainous areas of the division due to heavy rain.
They also predict heavy rainfall, ranging from 44 to 88 mm, in Chattogram in the next 24 hours starting Monday morning.
Landslides are a major issue in the port city, with numerous incidents occurring every year during the rainy season.
More than 50,000 people living on the hillside are at high risk due to the possibility of landslides during monsoon rains.
According to sources, rampant hill cutting in the port city is the primary cause of landslides, particularly during the rainy season.
Agencies reports add: The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Water Development Board has warned of potential short-term floods in the north and northeastern parts of Bangladesh amid incessant rain over the past several days.
Citing the weather offices, the agency said in its 10-day medium-range flood forecast that the country's northeastern and adjoining upstream areas may experience moderate to heavy or very heavy rainfall in the next seven days.
As a result, the river water in the country's northeastern region may surge during the period.
Water levels at 84 river stations monitored by Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) have marked rise while 21stations recorded fall.
Among the 110 monitored river stations, water levels at four stations have
remained steady while water at six stations are flowing above the danger level,
a bulletin issued by the FFWC said here today.
The water levels in the Surma, Kushiyara, Puraton Surma and Sarigoain rivers in northeastern Sylhet and Sumanganj are likely to surge promptly. That is why the authorities feared short-term flooding in the low-lying parts of the region at the onset of July.
The agency's Executive Engineer Sardar Uday Raihan said, "Along with the northeastern region, the water level of the Ganges-Padma river basin is increasing steadily and it may continue for four more days.
However, the possibility of flooding in the region because of river water rising past the danger point is lower."
On the other hand, the river water in the country's northern region is receding. The water level of the Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers is stable. However, the water levels of these rivers will increase in the next 72 hours, according to the forecast.
The water level of the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers in the country's north will surge at some points under the influence of heavy rains for the next several days.
In its forecast for the next 72 hours starting from 9ap on Monday, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over the north Bay.
Under its influence, squally weather along with light to moderate rainfall may affect some parts of the country in all divisions throughout the week.
In addition, heavy to very heavy rainfall has been predicted in some parts of the country.
Bandarban saw 108 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, the highest in the country according to Shahanaj Sultana, meteorologist and BMD deputy director.
She told bdnews24.com that the weather is likely to remain rainy in almost all divisions of the country at least until Jul 5. The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep local cautionary signal no. 3 hoisted.
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