As water levels rise, people in Derai, Sunamganj, race against time to harvest and secure paddy before floodwaters reach low-lying areas.

Continuous rainfall over the past few days has led to a rapid rise in water levels in rivers and haors in the northeastern region of the country, raising fears of sudden flooding in the Sylhet region. According to weather forecasts, heavy rainfall in the coming days may further worsen the situation.

This information was reported in a bulletin issued on Tuesday (April 28) evening by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board.

According to the Water Development Board’s forecast, water levels in major rivers of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj—namely the Surma, Kushiyara, Manu, Khowai, and Juri—are rising rapidly. Although none of the rivers has yet crossed the danger level, there is concern that within the next 24 hours, water levels may exceed the pre-monsoon warning threshold. This could lead to flooding in low-lying river-adjacent areas of Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj districts.

Partha Pratim Barua, the duty officer at the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, said that as of Tuesday morning, no river had crossed the danger level, but water levels are rising quickly and the situation is being closely monitored.

At the same time, water levels in the Dhanu-Baulai and Bhugai-Kangsa rivers may also rise, which could bring some areas of Netrokona and Kishoreganj close to the warning level.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has said that heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur over the next three days in the haor areas of the northeastern region. This rainfall is causing river levels to rise rapidly.

As of Tuesday morning (April 28), the highest rainfall recorded was 146 millimetres in Srimangal. During the same period, Sylhet recorded 127.2 millimetres of rainfall.

According to the latest forecast from the Sylhet Meteorological Office, the sky over the Sylhet region may remain partly cloudy to temporarily overcast over the next 24 hours. Light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely during this time, with the possibility of moderate to heavy or even very heavy rainfall in some places. As rainfall may be accompanied by gusty or squally winds and lightning, the public has been advised to remain cautious.

Assistant Meteorologist Shah Md. Sajib Hossain of the Sylhet Meteorological Office said that from 6:00 am Monday to 6:00 am Tuesday, 127.2 millimetres of rainfall were recorded in Sylhet. Additionally, 1.2 millimetres of rain were recorded from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on Tuesday.

Meteorologist A.K.M. Nazmul Haque said in a bulletin on Tuesday (April 28) that until Saturday (May 2), some places in the Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions may experience heavy rainfall of 44 to 88 millimetres in 24 hours, and in some areas more than 88 millimetres, which would be considered very heavy rainfall. Rain and thundershowers are expected during this period.