Eight districts across Bangladesh have been inundated due to heavy rainfall and upstream flooding, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
The ministry has issued a warning that the flood situation may further deteriorate and spread to new areas.
KM Ali Reza, additional secretary of the ministry, provided an update on the ongoing flood situation during a press briefing at the Secretariat on Wednesday (August 21).
He confirmed that the districts affected by the floods include Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Chattogram, Noakhali, Comilla, and Khagrachari.
The flood situation in the eastern bordering districts of Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, Feni, Chattogram and Khagrachari is expected to persist for at least the next 24 hours due to rising water levels in the cross-border rivers.
Continuous rainfall and the release of water from dams in India have contributed significantly to the flooding.
Sardar Uday Raihan, executive engineer at the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, told Jago News that the flooding in Feni, Cumilla, and Noakhali was sudden and exacerbated by heavy rainfall. The water levels in the region's rivers, including the Muhuri, Feni, Halda, Sangu, Matamuhuri, and Gomti, are likely to remain stable or rise due to ongoing precipitation.
The center issued a notification warning of potential short-term flooding in low-lying areas near the Gomti River in Cumilla. Additionally, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in the northeast and adjacent regions, which may lead to rising water levels in the rivers of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj districts.
The Manu, Khoai, and Dhalai rivers in Moulvibazar and Habiganj are also expected to overflow, causing flooding in the lower reaches of these areas. The situation is particularly dire in Feni, where the Muhuri River is flowing 55 centimeters above the danger level, and extensive flooding has occurred in Phulgazi and Parashuram upazilas. The Gomti River in Comilla is also overflowing, leading to flooding in various areas. Water levels are also rising in the Noakhali region.
The flooding has caused significant disruption to daily life in the affected areas, with many residents forced to evacuate their homes.
Local authorities are working to provide relief efforts, including food, shelter, and medical assistance. However, the situation remains challenging due to the ongoing rainfall and the potential for further flooding.