Flood signs appear as rivers keep swelling

Rain may continue, flash flood hits NE region
Signs of flood in the country are becoming visible as rains are feared to remain heavy this month, which is more than usual, to be accompanied by 2 to 3 monsoon depressions. Some parts in the north-eastern region of the country have already been gripped by a flash flood.
Due to excessive rainfall over the north, north-eastern part of the country and adjoining parts of neighbouring India, low-laying areas are experiencing flash flood, said Flood Forecasting Department of Water Development Board yesterday.
“The situation is likely to worsen as the meteorology departments of both Bangladesh and India forecast further heavy rainfall over the region in the next 24 hours,” officials at the Water Development Board said.
According to the official statistics, water level of 47 rivers out of 73 monitored are on the rise and the water level of the Khowai at Habiganj has already crossed the danger level.
Already, the low-lying areas in three upazilas of the Sylhet district have already been flooded due to heavy downpour and onrush of hill waters over the last several days.
The low-lying areas of six unions in Companyganj upazila have been flooded. Most areas of Ichakolosh and Telikhal unions have gone under water due to incessant rain.
Stone extraction has been suspended in Bholaganj, Jaflong and Bichanakandi quarries, rendering thousands of workers jobless.
Some areas of Goainghat and Jointapur upazilas have also been inundated.
Sources at the meteorological department said they have forecast 360-410 millimetres of rainfall in Dhaka, 700-780mm rainfall in Chittagong, 550-620mm rainfall in Sylhet, 360-420mm rainfall in Rajshahi, 325-370mm rainfall in Khulna and 480-560mm rainfall in Barisal.
In the upper catchments of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna basins excess rainfall is likely to occur.
Less than normal rainfall was recorded in June due to weak formation of monsoon in the Bay till the third week of the month, the Met office said.
Sources in the Food Forecasting Centre at the Met office said the river flow in the Ganges, Meghana and Brahmanpurta basins might record higher marks because of heavy downpour and onrush of water from upstream.
Rainfall is likely to intensify in the next 24 hours. However, they said, there is no possibility of severe flood.
They added the Someshwari river in Netrakona and Sarigowen in Sunamganj were flowing above danger level yesterday, but they receded to normal mark today. Only one river, Khowai in Habiganj, was flowing above danger level today, they said.
Met office sources said the southwest monsoon is now active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over North Bay.
Due to the influence of the monsoon, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over the country.
However, they said, there is chance of heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places in the country during the first half of this month and light to moderate rain at a few places during the end of this month.
The temperature may remain nearly normal and unchanged across the country during the period, the sources said.

Courtesy of The Independent