With major rivers swelling amid days of relentless rain, seven districts in Bangladesh now face the risk of flashfloods, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned.

The districts under immediate threat include Feni, Chattogram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Sherpur, Netrakona, and Mymensingh, where low-lying areas may experience short-term but severe inundation. 

The warning comes as heavy to very heavy rainfall batters Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rajshahi divisions, compounded by intense showers in India’s Tripura and Assam states.

Rivers Rising Beyond Limits

According to the FFWC, water levels in the Gomti, Muhuri, Selonia, and Feni rivers have climbed sharply over the past 24 hours. 

The Muhuri and Selonia rivers in Feni are expected to cross the danger level, triggering flashfloods in nearby villages. The Feni River in Chattogram is also inching toward its warning mark, raising fears of temporary submergence in adjacent areas.

In the north, the situation is equally precarious. Though the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers in Rangpur have slightly receded, they are expected to rise again within the next three days. The Teesta River, stable for now, may surge to warning levels, inundating vulnerable parts of Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari.

Mymensingh division is not spared either. The Kangsha, Someshwari, and Bhugai rivers—which showed little fluctuation over the past day—are forecast to swell. If they reach warning marks, flooding could hit Sherpur, Mymensingh, and Netrakona, displacing families in low-lying communities.

Coastal Tide Concerns

Adding to the woes, coastal rivers in Barishal, Khulna, and Chattogram divisions are witnessing higher-than-normal tides, which the FFWC expects will persist for at least three more days. While not immediately catastrophic, these tidal surges may worsen the flooding threat if combined with heavy rains.

Meteorological Outlook Worsens

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) painted a grim picture for the coming days. A well-marked low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression, currently hovering over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay. 

The system is likely to move toward India’s Odisha–Andhra coast within the next 48 hours, but its effects are already being felt in Bangladesh.

Over the past 24 hours, torrential downpours lashed Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rajshahi divisions, as well as upstream regions in Tripura and Assam. Meteorologists warned that similar conditions will persist until October 4, heightening the risk of more rivers overflowing.

Communities on Edge

Although no major displacement has been reported yet, the warnings have sparked anxiety among residents of flood-prone areas. Farmers in Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari, already grappling with waterlogged fields, fear further crop damage, while coastal communities in Chattogram are bracing for tidal flooding.

People living along the riverbanks should remain alert,” the FFWC cautioned, urging local administrations to take precautionary measures to minimise damage.