Continuous heavy rainfall and rising river levels have exacerbated the flood situation in Feni, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Chattogram, Noakhali, Cumilla, and Khagrachari, leaving over two million people stranded.
Water levels in several rivers, including the Kushiyara, Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, Muhuri, Feni, and Halda, have already surpassed danger levels.
In Cumilla, the water level in the Gumti and Muhuri rivers has risen significantly due to heavy rainfall and the opening of the sluice gate at Dumboor Lake in Tripura, India.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief on Wednesday reported that eight districts are currently flooded due to heavy rains and the onrush of water from upstream, with the situation expected to worsen in the coming days.
At a press briefing at the secretariat, the ministry’s Additional Secretary, KM Ali Reza, said that, according to the Met Office forecast, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in the northeastern region and adjoining upstream areas over the next 48 hours.
As a result, water levels in major rivers in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj are likely to rise further.
He noted that water levels in major rivers in the northeastern and eastern regions are steadily increasing. The Kushiyara, Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, Muhuri, Feni, and Halda rivers are flowing above danger levels at seven monitoring stations.
"In the next 24 hours, the water levels in the Manu, Khowai, Dhalai, and Sarigowain rivers in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts may cross danger levels at several points, submerging low-lying areas," he warned.
Relief efforts are underway in the flood-affected districts, with the local administration coordinating with deputy commissioners, the army, the coordinators of the Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Andolon, and other volunteers, the additional secretary added.
Mohammad Nazmul Abedin, joint secretary of the disaster management and relief ministry, confirmed that funds have already been allocated for relief work in the flood-hit areas. Additionally, rice and dry food have been provided to those in need.
"We have adequate relief supplies in our district warehouses. Based on the actual reports, we will be able to provide additional aid to the flood victims. We have received news that army and navy teams have already reached Feni and have begun rescue operations. Six army boats are now on the ground," said the joint secretary.
According to a report from the Feni deputy commissioner, 1,600 people have taken refuge in 78 shelter centres, with Feni being the worst-hit district. Reports from other districts are still awaited, he added.
Highest water levels recorded in 50 years
Meanwhile, an afternoon bulletin from the Bangladesh Water Development Board's Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said that the Khowai River was flowing 200 centimetres above the danger level in Habiganj, the highest recorded among the rivers. The Manu River was flowing 118 centimetres above the danger level in Moulvibazar, while the Halda River was 103 centimetres above the danger level in Chattogram.
Additionally, the Feni River was flowing 78 centimetres above the danger level in Chattogram, the Muhuri River 61 centimetres in Feni, the Kushiyara River nine centimetres in Sunamganj, and three centimetres in Sherpur, while the Dhalai River was flowing five centimetres above the danger level in Moulvibazar.
The FFWC noted that in some areas, including Habiganj, water levels have surpassed records from the past 50 years.
Severe flooding in Feni upazilas
Our correspondents report that three upazilas in Feni district—Parshuram, Fulgazi, and Chhagalnaiya—have been severely flooded. In Parshuram, one person has been reported missing.
Chhagalnaiya upazila was severely affected on Tuesday night, with most areas submerged, while in Parshuram, the Feni-Parshuram regional road became impassable, and many areas have been without electricity since Tuesday night.
In Fulgazi, thousands of people across six unions were stranded. In Parshuram Upazila, nearly 95 per cent of the area, including the municipality and three unions, has been inundated by floodwaters.
Rising floodwaters in Noakhali and beyond
The situation in Noakhali is similarly severe, with flood levels continuing to rise due to persistent heavy rain and tidal surges.
Kabirhat Upazila has experienced a sharp increase in water levels compared to the previous day, while the unions of Chhatarpaia, Kesharpar, and Nabipur in Senbagh Upazila, located near the border, have been the hardest hit.
In Companiganj Upazila, around 3,00,000 people remain stranded across one municipality and eight unions.
Begumganj Upazila has also been significantly impacted, with an estimated one million residents affected by the floods.
The flood situation has also deteriorated in Habiganj and Moulvibazar, where the Khowai, Kushiyara, Manu, Dhalai, and Juri rivers have overflowed, exacerbating the crisis.
Rescue operations, emergency contacts
In response to the worsening conditions, Bangladesh Army personnel were deployed on Wednesday to carry out rescue operations in Parshuram and Fulgazi upazilas of Feni, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The military is utilising speedboats and helicopters to assist in the rescue efforts.
Additionally, the Fire Service and Civil Defence has set up a central monitoring cell to oversee rescue operations in the flood-affected regions. The cell became operational at 5pm on Wednesday.
The Fire Service's media cell announced that the emergency hotline number 102, along with the central control room’s regular contact number 02223355555, will remain active for rescue services across flood-hit areas.
For continuous communication with the monitoring cell, the mobile number 01713-038181 is available. Emergency assistance can also be accessed via the 999 helpline.
