Flood threat shifts to new districts as waters recede in southeast, FFWC warns

Floodwaters began receding across parts of southeastern Bangladesh on Saturday, offering relief after days of torrential rain, but authorities warned that the crisis is shifting, with fresh flooding likely in several new districts over the next 48 hours.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said water levels were gradually falling in parts of Bandarban, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Habiganj and Moulvibazar. However, heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast across Bangladesh and upstream India could trigger new flooding in the southeast, northeast and northern regions.

The FFWC warned that the Muhuri, Feni, Selonia and Halda rivers could rise above the danger level within the next 24 to 48 hours, increasing the risk of short-term flooding in parts of Feni, Chattogram and Khagrachhari. Low-lying areas of Lakshmipur and Noakhali may also be temporarily inundated.

In the northeast, rivers flowing through Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Sherpur and Mymensingh are expected to swell further if heavy rain persists.

The Kushiyara River is forecast to continue rising over the next two days, potentially worsening flooding in parts of Sylhet and Sunamganj, while low-lying areas along the Surma River could also experience short-term inundation.

Northern districts have also been placed on alert. The FFWC said the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers could cross the danger level at several locations, raising fresh flood risks in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Kurigram and Gaibandha.

As of Saturday morning, four rivers at six monitoring stations remained above the danger level: the Sangu in Bandarban and Chattogram, the Kushiyara in Sylhet and Sunamganj, the Manu in Moulvibazar and the Khowai in Habiganj.

The latest warning comes after at least 39 people died over the past week in floods, landslides and other rain-related incidents across southeastern Bangladesh. The disaster has stranded hundreds of thousands of people, damaged homes, roads and crops, and disrupted transport and business activity.

The human toll continued to rise on Friday when 12-year-old Jharna Begum drowned after a boat carrying her capsized in floodwaters in Chakaria upazila of Cox's Bazar. Firefighters later recovered her body.

Agriculture has also suffered extensive damage. Chattogram District Agriculture Officer Apru Marma told Samakal that preliminary estimates show more than 14,000 hectares of farmland have been inundated, including Aus paddy fields, Aman seedbeds and summer vegetable farms.

Thousands of fish ponds and shrimp farms have also been damaged, with officials fearing losses could reach hundreds of millions of taka once the final assessment is completed.

The flooding has also disrupted political activities. The National Citizen Party (NCP) postponed its July march scheduled for Sunday in Cumilla city and Homna, as well as Monday's programmes at three locations in Brahmanbaria, citing flash floods caused by heavy rainfall and hill runoff from Chattogram.

In Habiganj, emergency repair work continued after the Khowai River breached embankments at two points on Friday, inundating around 20 villages. Residents moved with their livestock and belongings to safer areas as officials worked to reinforce vulnerable sections of the embankment.

Authorities have also maintained restrictions in the hill districts. In Bandarban, the district administration extended its ban on tourist travel until July 15 because of the continuing risk of landslides and disruption to road communication.

The FFWC said the next 48 hours would be critical. While floodwaters are expected to continue receding in some affected areas, conditions elsewhere will depend largely on the intensity of rainfall across Bangladesh and in the upstream catchments of India's Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura.