Over 100 villages flooded in Sherpur due to continuous rains

• Heavy rain and upstream runoff have flooded over 100 villages in Sherpur, causing extensive damage
• The BMD expects rainfall to continue until October 6, with rising river levels until Saturday morning
• Local authorities are conducting rescue operations and distributing food to flood-affected residents
• Floodwaters have trapped around 50,000 people in five unions of Haluaghat Upazila, impacting health services
• A low-pressure area over the North Bay of Bengal is causing ongoing monsoon rainfall across multiple divisions 

The low-lying areas, including over 100 villages in Jhinaigati and Nalitabari Upazilas of Sherpur, have been inundated following heavy rainfall and upstream runoff. 

Within just 12 hours, the villagers experienced flash flooding as the Moharashi, Bhogai, and Chellakhali rivers overflowed their banks.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that rainfall will continue in Sherpur, Tangail, Mymensingh, and surrounding areas until Sunday. 

Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) stated that river water levels in these areas will rise until Saturday morning, after which they are expected to decrease.

In the flash flood-affected areas, most rural roads and a significant portion of farmland in the upazilas have been inundated. Many ponds have lost their fish, and numerous houses are currently inundated in knee-deep water.

Flash flooding occurred in four unions in Jhinaigati upazila, including the Sadar Bazar and upazila parishad intersection, as heavy rain from Thursday evening to Friday (4 October) noon caused the Moharashi River to overflow.

Water levels have also risen in the Bhogai and Chellakhali rivers in the border upazila of Nalitabari, flooding low-lying areas in three unions, including Nalitabari Municipality.

As of Friday morning, Nakugaon Point in Sherpur recorded 261mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours, while Sherpur Sadar reported 177mm and Nalitabari recorded 225mm. 

Other areas saw significant rainfall as well, with Jariyanjail in Netrokona receiving 200mm, Durgapur 135mm, and Tangail 110mm.

Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) data indicates that the water level at the Nakuagaon station of the Bhogai River has surpassed the danger level, rising to 24.50mMSL by 6pm on Friday, which is 2.55 metres above the danger threshold of 21.95 metres. This marks an increase of 7.9 metres within the last 24 hours.

Additionally, the water level at the Goalkanda station on the Nil-Jinjiram River has also exceeded the danger level, with water flowing over 40 centimeters above the danger mark in the evening.

Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre's Executive Engineer, Sarder Udoy Raihan, told The Business Standard, "Water in the riverside areas of Sherpur, Jamalpur, Netrakona and Mymonsingh districts may rise till Saturday afternoon. After that, there is a possibility that the water will decrease."  

BMD Meteorologist Md Omar Faruq told TBS, "Sherpur, Tangail, Mymensingh areas received abnormal rainfall from Thursday night. Now the level of rainfall in this area has reduced but it will rain till the 6 October. Rainfall will decrease in this area from 7 October."

Zubaidul Islam, a local journalist in Sherpur, told TBS, "There has been unusual rainfall in Sherpur since Thursday night. Low-lying areas have been flooded due to the onrush of mountains. We have received information about embankments breaching at at least seven places in the river."

Meteorologist Mostofa Kamal Palash, a PhD researcher in meteorology and climate at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, told TBS, "One of the highest mountains in the Meghalaya mountains is the place called Chokhpat. This is the place where the heaviest rainfall has occurred and is opposite Sherpur district. As a result, the heavy rains that are occurring in this part of the hills are coming down very fast in the form of hill slopes in the rivers of Sherpur district."

Md Ashraful Alam Rasel, Jhinaigati Upazila executive officer, said, "The upazila administration and Fire Service personnel are trying to rescue the people trapped by the water. Dry food is being prepared for distribution among the flood victims."

On the other hand, heavy rains and mountain torrents have inundated at least five unions in Haluaghat upazila, Mymensingh, leaving around 50,000 residents marooned as floodwaters began entering the area since Friday afternoon. Roads, open fields, and yards are waterlogged, and patients at the Haluaghat Upazila Health Complex have suffered due to flooding in the facility.

According to local sources and the upazila administration, continuous rainfall has caused river levels to rise, with water from upstream India flooding Haluaghat Sadar Union, Bhubankura, Jugli, Ghazirvita, and Kaichapur. The situation worsened in the evening when the local Bhogai River dam collapsed.

Bhubankura Union Parishad Chairman Suruj Mia reported that heavy rain caused the Shewal and Meneng rivers to overflow, flooding homes and yards and making it difficult for residents to leave their houses. Haluaghat Upazila Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Alal Uddin stated that if rain stops overnight, water levels should recede by morning.

Haluaghat Upazila Executive Officer Ershadul Ahmed noted that while Haluaghat had not experienced significant floods since 1988, the current situation has necessitated rapid relief efforts for those affected.

Low over North Bay of Bengal 

BMD said a low-pressure area has formed over North Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh. Monsoon troughs run through Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across the central part of Bangladesh. Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong elsewhere over North Bay.

BMD's evening bulletin said that the light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country.

On Thursday, Tangail recorded the highest rainfall at 211mm by 6 pm. Other notable rainfall measurements include 149mm in Mymensingh, 37mm in Faridpur, 45mm in Mongla, 29mm in Teknaf, and 20mm in Dhaka.