Flood ravages Mymensingh division, other parts of country

The middle and northern regions of Bangladesh, particularly Sherpur, have been severely affected by flash floods, resulting in the deaths of at least five people.

Additionally, southern parts of the country, including Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, and portions of Sylhet, are facing river overflows and flood threats.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, the flood situation in four districts of Mymensingh is expected to remain unchanged until today evening.

Rivers in the southern regions are predicted to rise in the next two days, crossing the danger level, but the flood is not anticipated to last long.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported that rainfall will continue until 12 October, although it will gradually decrease. Heavy rain is expected in parts of the Sylhet, Mymensingh, Dhaka, and Rajshahi divisions today.

In Sherpur, five individuals, including a woman, lost their lives while seeking shelter as the floodwaters from India's Meghalaya state continued to submerge lowland areas. Nalitabari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Masud Rana confirmed the news of the deaths.

Over 60,000 people are now marooned in the district's four affected upazilas—Nalitabari, Jhinaigati, Nokla, and Sreebardi—where 122 villages have been inundated.

Rescue efforts, supported by the army, local volunteers, and the fire service, are ongoing, and more than 1,000 families have been evacuated to safer areas.

The floods have destroyed crops, livestock, poultry, and homes, leaving many farmers devastated.

Roads are either submerged or severely damaged, exacerbating the struggles faced by local residents. Schools have been designated as temporary shelters, and relief operations are being coordinated through control rooms.

In Jhinaigati upazila, while the rain had stopped in the early hours of today, water from upstream continued to flood villages, newly submerging 10 villages in Hatibandha and Malijhikanda unions.

In total, 50 villages in the upazila have been affected. Additionally, the Jhinaigati-Tinani-Nalitabari road collapsed in the Raniganj area, further disrupting local transportation.

Several rural roads in different unions of Nalitabari have been damaged due to strong water currents, and kitchens, tube wells, and toilets have been submerged, worsening conditions for residents.

In Dighirpar, a resident, Abul Kashem, said that the broken embankment of the Maharashi River has flooded homes, making movement difficult and creating food shortages.

Similarly, Jotsna Begum, from Nalitabari's Nayabil union, said that finding food and clean water has become a struggle, with tube wells and toilets submerged and livestock lost to the floods. She urged for the immediate supply of dry food.

The district's agriculture department reported that Aman paddy crops on 7,700 hectares of land are completely submerged, while another 9,700 hectares are partially underwater. In addition, 600 hectares of winter vegetables have been flooded.

According to Jhinaigati Upazila Project Implementation Officer Md Rajibul Islam, approximately 15,000 people in seven unions have been affected, with 350 houses damaged. However, he noted that the situation has improved slightly as floodwaters began to recede on Saturday.

In Nalitabari, more than 22,000 people have taken refuge in 58 shelters, with ongoing rescue operations.

Anwar Hossain Shamim, the upazila's project implementation officer, stressed the need for engine-powered boats due to the strong water currents. Dry food has been distributed to those affected, with plans for further aid.

Sherpur District Administrator Tarufdar Mahmudur Rahman confirmed that while the flood situation in Jhinaigati has improved slightly, the water level in Nalitabari has risen, with three deaths reported so far. Rescue efforts and relief distributions are ongoing.

Meanwhile, in Kurigram, heavy rainfall has caused waterlogging in government offices, courts, and residential areas due to poor drainage. The water levels of the district's rivers have been rising steadily since Friday morning, further disrupting daily life and leaving many labourers without work.

The BMD has issued a heavy rainfall warning for the next 24 hours, predicting rainfall of 44–88 mm or more in places across Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Landslides may also occur in the hilly areas of Chattogram division due to the persistent downpours.

According to the FFWC, the water levels of the Kangsha, Someswari, Jinjiram, and Old Brahmaputra rivers in Mymensingh are rising, while the Bhugai River's water level is decreasing. Both the Bhugai River in Sherpur and the Jinjiram River in Jamalpur are currently flowing above the danger level.

Sarder Udoy Raihan, an executive engineer at the FFWC, said that the water levels of the Bhugai and Nil-Jinjiram rivers are flowing above the danger level, and the Kangsha River is expected to follow suit.

The situation is expected to persist until today. He also mentioned that water levels in the Surma and Kushiara rivers in Sylhet are increasing but are still below the danger level.

With low pressure over Bangladesh and the North Bay of Bengal, coastal rivers in the Barishal and Khulna divisions are expected to experience higher tides than usual over the next three days, accompanied by heavy rainfall in coastal areas.

The highest recorded rainfall on Saturday was 282mm in Chandpur. Other areas, including Noakhali, Cumilla, Madaripur, and Narayanganj, also experienced significant downpours, with Dhaka recording 79mm of rainfall.