Flooding in southeast Bangladesh worsens as continuous rain causes rising rivers, leaves 1.5M stranded

DHAKA, Bangladesh

The flood situation in southeastern Bangladesh has deteriorated due to continuous rainfall and rising levels of rivers, leaving over 1.5 million people stranded.

The roads and highways connecting the Feni, Cumilla, and Noakhali districts are completely submerged in floodwaters, making them appear like islands.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is actively working to help those affected in these areas.

In Cumilla, the water levels in the Gumti and Muhuri rivers have risen significantly because of heavy rainfall and the recent opening of a sluice gate at Dumber Lake in Tripura, India, sources at the Water Development Board of Bangladesh told Anadolu on Wednesday.

Additionally, the water levels in the Kushiyara, Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, Muhuri, Feni, Gumti, and Halda rivers have already surpassed dangerous levels, the sources added.

In some areas, including Hobiganj district in the northeastern part of Bangladesh, water levels have reached heights not seen in the past 50 years, according to data from the Bangladesh Water Development Board's Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).

The FFWC has said the water level of the Gumti River in Cumilla district may exceed dangerous levels within the next 24 hours, potentially resulting in a short-term flood in nearby low-lying areas.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecasts medium to heavy rain in the southeastern and eastern regions, as well as adjacent upstream areas, over the next 24 hours.

FFWC Executive Engineer Sarder Udoy Raihan told Anadolu, "Currently, five districts are facing sudden flooding, and river levels in these regions are expected to remain above danger levels for the next 24 hours.”

Raihan said the flood situation may improve in about three days.