Heavy rains to continue countrywide

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur across the country for 72 hours starting from 9:00am yesterday, warned the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

According to the department, under the influence of a well-marked low over the west-central Bay and adjoining areas along with an active monsoon, heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions.

Dhaka recorded the highest rainfall in the country -- 143 millimetres in 24 hours until 6:00pm yesterday -- leaving many parts of the capital waterlogged.

The BMD further cautioned that landslides may occur in the hilly regions of Chattogram, while temporary waterlogging is also likely in parts of Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan cities.

Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Water Development Board warned that flashfloods are likely in seven districts as major rivers continue to swell from heavy rainfall in Dhaka, Chattogram and Rajshahi divisions, as well as in India's Tripura and Assam.

The seven districts are Feni, Chattogram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Sherpur, Netrakona and Mymensingh.

FFWC said water levels in the Gomti, Muhuri, Selonia and Feni rivers in Chattogram division rose in the 24 hours till 6:00am yesterday and are expected to keep rising over the next three days.

In Rangpur division, water levels in the Dharla, Dudhkumar and Teesta may rise during this period, with the Teesta possibly reaching the danger level and temporarily flooding low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari.

In Mymensingh region, the Kangsha, Someshwari and Bhugai rivers are also likely to swell, potentially reaching the danger level in Sherpur, Mymensingh and Netrakona, causing temporary inundation of low-lying areas.

The FFWC added that coastal rivers in Barishal, Khulna and Chattogram divisions are experiencing higher-than-normal tides, a situation expected to persist for the next three days.