The low-lying areas of Barguna, Barishal, Jhalakathi and Bagerhat districts have been inundated due to the tidal surge triggered by the depression that lies over northeast Bay off West Bengal-North Odisha coast and adjoining areas. All major rivers of the districts were flowing above its danger level, flooding many areas in the districts. In Barguna, the residents of the districts have been experiencing incessant rainfall for the past six days from Tuesday due to the tidal surge, inundating low-lying areas of the district. The rivers' waters were flowing above its red-zone. The Payra, the Bishkhali and the Baleshwar rivers were flowing above its danger mark, inundating many villages. Officials of the Water Development Board, said the Bishkhali river water was flowing 72 cm above its danger zone at Barguna point while 125 cm above at Patharghata point. The weather observatory center has recorded 51.5 mm of rainfalls in the past 24 hours. The maritime ports of Bangladesh have been asked to hoist local cautionary signal NO 3, according to the weather bulletin. The low-lying areas have been inundated by the 2-4 feet height above its normal astronomical tide and all fishing boats and trawlers have been asked to proceed with caution and remain close to the coast until further notice. The inhabitants of the river banks are passing their days in fear as the flood protection dam may collapse any time due to the tidal surge. Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of Barguna District Trawler Owners Association, said the fishing trawlers were kept at safe places. Golam Mahmud, radio operator of Barguna Cyclone Preparation Programme (CPP), said it is difficult to say how many days the rains will continue. In Bagerhat, the Sundarbans have been flooded by the tidal surge caused by the depression in the Bay of Bengal. Many areas in the Sundarbans including Dublarchar, Karamjal and Katka have been inundated, creating a habitat crisis for wild animals. The low-lying areas in Bagerhat, Sadar, Morelganj, Rampal and Mongla upazilas have been submerged. Mohammad Belayet Hossain, Divisional Forest Officer of Sundarbans East Zone, said the river waters were flowing 3-3.5 feet above the normal tide. Many deer have taken shelter at high places in the pond. The deer were seen running to take shelter in high places. Besides, the fishermen have taken shelter in the Sundarbans.

At least 10 villages of Dhal Char union and Monpura union under Char Fasson upazila of Bhola went under water due to tidal surge caused by depression in the Bay of Bengal on Thursday.   Dhal Char union parishad chairman Abdus Salam said at least 1,500 people of his union remained marooned for eight hours from morning to afternoon. The tidal water rose to 4-5 feet high and washed away many houses, shops and fish farms, Salam said. He, however, doesn't know the amount of the affected properties and cattle. On the other hand, Purbo Andirpar, Panschim Andirpar, Kawartek, Ishwarganj, Kulagazi Taluk village of Monpura union, Dasherhat, Sonarchar, Char Jatin, Char Gyan of Hajirhat union and Alamnagar and Mastarhat area of Uttar Sakuchia union were inundated by the tidal surge. Besides, Char Khalek, Machhuakhali, and Kolatoli villages under the recently declared Kolatoli union went under seawater. Moreover, more than 20000 people of Char Nizam, Badnar Char, Dhal Char, and Char Samsuddin have been marooned.   A depression over coastal Odisha and the adjoining Northwest Bay moved westwards and weakened into a well-marked low on Wednesday. Read: Depression in Bay: Avoid Cox’s Bazar beach, say tourist police On Thursday, the well-marked low over Chhattisgarh and adjoining areas of India moved westwards, weakening into a low pressure area over Madhya Pradesh and adjoining areas. Steep pressure gradient persists over the North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh. Squally weather may affect the maritime ports, the North Bay and the adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, said a Met office bulletin.

Four villages in Fulgazi upazila have been flooded following the breakdown of a  portion of Muhuri river dam due to heavy rains and an onrush of hilly water. Vast areas of North Daulatpur, South Daulatpur, Ghaniyamora and Bairagpur of Fulgazi sadar union were flooded following the collapse of the embankment,  said Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Fulgazi Ashrafur Nahar. Read: Army Chief visits flood-affected areas in Sylhet “We are observing the situation constantly,” she added.

The low-lying areas in Sylhet’s Goainghat and Jaintapur upazilas and Doarabazar upazila in Sunamganj  went under water due to onrush of  water from the upstream and heavy showers for the last couple of days. In Sylhet, the water levels of many rivers including Kushiara and Surma  is increasing while the rivers are flowing above the danger level at many points, fearing flood. According to Sylhet Water Development Board, Meghalaya, Tripura and Assam in India have been experiencing heavy rains for the last couple of days, resulting in rise in water levels of many rivers including Surma, Kushiara, Bhogai-Kongso, Dhanu-Baulai, Monu and Khoai. The residents of 50 villages in Goainghat, Jaintapur and Companiganj upazilas of the district have been marooned while the road communications were snapped due to flash flood. Syed Ahmed Chowdhury, senior officer of Sylhet Weather Observatory Office, said, “Moderate to heavy rains likely to continue till May 18 especially at night.”  READ: Sunamganj farmers in troubled waters as paddy fields inundated In Sunamganj, Doarabazar upazila has been flooded due to  onrush of hill water and showers for the last couple of days , causing immense sufferings to the residents. A vast track of boro paddy field was submerged due to the flash flood. The residents of the upazila have been passing days amid anxiety  following the rise in water levels in different rivers and haors including Surma, Chela, Mora, Chilai, Chalti, Kaliuri, Dhumkhali and Chagalchora. Besides, the roads and paddy fields of Bangla Bazar, Laxmipur, Bogula, Narsinghpur, Surma, Dohalia, Pandargaon, Mannargaon and Doara Sadar unions were inundated. If the situation continues then the standing crops and Robi crops will also be flooded. Debangshu Kumar Singha, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Doarabazar, said no report of damage was found till today but the local administration is on alert to tackle any disaster.