Flood may worsen in northern, north-western region

The rising water level in the upstream is likely to worsen the flood situation in Bangladesh’s northern and north-western region, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) says. However, the FFWC sees no chance of floods in capital although it forecasts the water level in rivers surrounding Dhaka, including Buriganga and Balu rivers, to rise over the next couple of days. Assistant Engineer Ripon Karmakar said the water level of Buriganga rose by 10cm, Balu River by 2cm, Turag and Tongi canals by 5cm over the past 24 hours but was below the danger mark. The FFWC’s forecast says water in these four rivers might rise ‘a little’ over the next 48 hours but claimed that it would not flow above the danger-level. ‘The rate at which the water is increasing is likely to have no affect on the capital,’ said Ripon Karmakar. Although the low-lying areas in Dhaka have been inundated, he hoped the situation would improve gradually. However, if the water continues to rise over one week, there will be chances of flood in Dhaka,’ he warned. According to the FFWC forecast, flood in Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Bogra, Jamalpur, Tangail, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Munshiganj, Rajbarhi and Faridpur may worsen over the next 48 hours.