The flood situation in Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may improve slowly within next 24 to 48 hours, said a special outlook released on Friday evening by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
Currently, the five major rivers in Chattogram and Sylhet are flowing above their respective danger levels at eight stations across seven districts, according to the FFWC.
When asked when the flood situation in the Chattogram and Sylhet divisions might return to normal, Sardar Udoy Raihan, executive engineer of FFWC, told The Daily Star, “According to the Meteorological Department’s forecast, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Chattogram, Sylhet, and Rangpur divisions over the next 48 hours. However, the volume of heavy downpours will be relatively low in Chattogram and Sylhet.”
“Consequently, the flood situation in Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Habiganj and Moulvibazar districts will slowly improve within the next 24 to 48 hours,” he said.
“The flood situation in these areas is likely to return to normal after the next 72 hours,” he added.
Md Bazlur Rashid, a meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), told The Daily Star Chattogram and Sylhet regions will no longer experience the kind of continuous heavy rainfall recorded over the last three days.
“On the other hand, there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall increasing in Rangpur, Khulna, and Rajshahi regions,” he said.
“However, from July 13 onwards, normal rainfall is more likely instead of abnormally heavy downpours,” he added.
The FFWC report said the low-pressure system triggered heavy rainfall, with Chattogram receiving 759 mm, Bandarban’s Lama 562 mm, and Cox’s Bazar 300 mm of rain.
“In the southeastern region, the Sangu river is flowing 53 cm above the danger level at the Bandarban point and 4 cm above at the Dohazari point in Chattogram,” said the special outlook.
Meanwhile, the Matamuhuri river has breached danger thresholds by 99 cm at Bandarban’s Lama and by 41 cm at Cox’s Bazar’s Chiringa.
The Khowai river is currently flowing 34 cm above the danger mark at the Balla point in Habiganj, while the Manu river is 75 cm above the threshold at Moulvibazar.
In addition, the Kushiyara river is overflowing by 22 cm at Sunamganj’s Markuli and 15 cm at Sylhet’s Fenchuganj.
The FFWC warned that the Teesta river is likely to cross its danger mark within the next 24 to 48 hours, creating short-term flood situations in the low-lying areas of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Rangpur districts.
Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/environment/weather/news/floods-chattogram-sylhet-divisions-may-ease-slowly-48-hours-ffwc-4220776
