Flood conditions continued to affect large parts of Bangladesh on Saturday, with authorities warning that further heavy rainfall could worsen the situation despite signs of improvement in some districts.
The country’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said several major rivers remain above danger level, while forecasts of intense rainfall over the coming days have raised concerns about renewed flooding in the northeast, southeast and coastal regions.
According to the FFWC, the Sangu River at Bandarban and Dohazari, the Khowai River at Ballah in Habiganj, the Manu River at Moulvibazar, and the Kushiyara River at Markuli in Sunamganj and Fenchuganj in Sylhet were all flowing above their respective danger levels.
Meteorologists have forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chattogram over the next 24 hours, with Sylhet, Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions expected to receive significant rainfall during the following two days.
While water levels in the Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers have started to recede, bringing cautious optimism for parts of Bandarban, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar, officials warned that the Muhuri, Feni, Selonia and Halda rivers could rise again within 48 hours. Low-lying parts of Lakshmipur and Noakhali also remain at risk of temporary flooding.
In the northeast, water levels in the Manu, Dhalai and Khowai rivers have begun to fall. However, the Surma and Kushiyara rivers are expected to continue rising, increasing the flood threat in Sylhet and Sunamganj. Northern rivers, including the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar, may also approach or exceed danger levels in some locations.
Bandarban remains among the worst-affected districts. The Sangu River continues to flow above danger level at both Bandarban and Dohazari, leaving parts of Bandarban town under water.
Areas including Balaghata, Army Para, Member Para, Banani Sawmill, the Fire Service area and Islampur have been inundated. Floodwater has submerged sections of Balaghata Road by around five feet, leaving road links with seven surrounding upazilas cut off for a fifth consecutive day.
In neighbouring Rangamati, thousands of residents remain stranded after days of torrential rain and flash floods submerged homes, farmland, schools and transport links across Bagaichhari, Longadu, Barkal and Bilaichhari upazilas.
Local authorities have opened 40 emergency shelters accommodating more than 3,500 displaced people, while additional centres are being prepared amid concerns over possible landslides.
Relief supplies, including cooked food, are being distributed as shortages of food and safe drinking water continue to affect many families.
In Habiganj, Member of Parliament and government Whip GK Gauch inspected erosion-prone sections of the Khowai River and instructed officials to complete an ongoing embankment protection project worth Tk80 million without delay in an effort to prevent further riverbank erosion.
Further south, the island upazila of Monpura in Bhola continues to struggle with severe waterlogging after ten consecutive days of rainfall combined with tidal flooding.
Local officials estimate that around 20,000 people remain stranded across unions and char areas.
Many residents have lost their sources of income, leading to growing concerns over food shortages, sanitation and the risk of waterborne diseases. Water levels have started to fall gradually in parts of Char Fasson and Bhola Sadar, although conditions remain difficult in many low-lying communities.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Iqbal Hossain visited flood-hit Fatikchhari in Chattogram, where he distributed relief materials and inspected erosion along the Halda River.
He said the government was monitoring developments closely and remained committed to providing emergency assistance and supporting rehabilitation once conditions improve.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, who has been assigned responsibility for coordinating relief operations in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and the three hill districts, said relief efforts were being carried out jointly by the civil administration, the Coast Guard, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar and, where necessary, the Armed Forces.
Speaking after a coordination meeting at Chattogram Circuit House, he said additional relief was being directed towards the hardest-hit upazilas and stressed that every effort was being made to reach isolated communities.
He added that the government was monitoring the situation around the clock and stood ready to expand relief and rehabilitation programmes if conditions deteriorated further.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rain and thunderstorms, with periods of moderate to very heavy rainfall expected across much of the country over the coming days. Although rainfall is expected to ease towards the end of the five-day forecast period, officials have warned that further downpours could still trigger fresh flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.
On Friday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman instructed district administrations and BNP leaders and activists to provide all necessary assistance to people affected by the floods.
According to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, the Prime Minister spoke with Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and Civil Surgeons in several affected districts to assess the situation and directed officials to strengthen rescue, relief, healthcare and rehabilitation efforts through closer coordination.
