Several low-lying areas of coastal districts and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by tidal surges 1-2 feet above normal astronomical tide, the weather department said on Monday. The districts are Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. The land depression over North Madhya Pradesh and adjoining area of India moved West-Northwestwards further and weakened into a well-marked low over the same area at 12 noon on Monday. It is likely to move West-Northwestwards further and weaken gradually. Read: Low-lying areas of 5 dists flooded due to tidal surge caused by depression Under its influence deep convection is taking place over North Bay and adjoining areas. Squally weather may affect the maritime ports, North Bay and adjoining coastal area of Bangladesh. Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal no three. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.

The low-lying areas of Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Bhola, Satkhira and Khulna districts have been inundated due to the tidal surges caused by the depression over the Bay. In Bagerhat, the residents of the coastal areas have been suffering a lot for the past three days due to intermittent rainfall. The water level of Bhairab, Baleshwar, Panguchhi and Pashur rivers increased by two feet from normal ton Monday afternoon while water in Sundarbans was flowing 3-4 feet higher than normal. The wildlife were seen wandering in search of a safe place. All the ponds in Sundarbans have overflowed and if the situation continues for more days, the fish enclosures in Bagerhat coastal areas may be washed away anytime. Meanwhile, a number of fishing trawlers with fishermen have taken shelter at Dublarchar, Narikelbaria and Katka of Sundarbans as the sea is very rough. Amaresh Chandra Dhali, in-charge of Mongla Weather Conservatory Centre, said the weather office has recorded 21 mm of rainfall in three hours from 6 am to 9 am in Bagerhat. In Bhola, the water level of many rivers in the district has increased by 2-3 feet above its normal level, rendering 20,000 people marooned. Besides, the ferry services on Bhola-Laxmipur route have been disrupted as the ghat went under water. Meanwhile, the residents of Madanpura in Doulatkhan, Char Jahiruddin of Tajumuddin, Dhalchar and Char Kukri-Mukri in Charfassion upazilas and Kolatoli of Manpura upazila of the district have been flooded due to the tidal surge. Abdus Salam, chairman of Dhalchar union in Charfassion upazila, said the union is home to 12,000 people and they have been passing through untold sufferings for the last couple of days as the river water inundated their residents. Besides, Mahbubur Rahman, an officer of Bhola Weather Conservatory Center, said 38 mm rainfalls have been recorded in the past 24 hours till Monday noon. In Satkhira, the inhabitants of the coastal area of the district have been experiencing showers from Monday morning triggered by the depression in the Bay of Bengal. Already 200 bighas of fish enclosures have been washed away while 62-km of embankment in 35 points of the coastal areas was at risk of collapse. Shahnewaz Dalim, chairman of Khazra Union in Ashashuni upazila said, 200 bighas of land have been washed away in the upazila.

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.

Several low-lying areas of coastal districts and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by tidal surges, the weather department has warned. These districts are Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jahalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni Chattogram, and Cox’s Bazar. Meanwhile, the well-marked low over Chhattisgarh and adjoining areas of India have moved westwards to weaken into a low pressure area over Madhya Pradesh and nearby areas. Read: Tidal surge inundates 18 Jhalakati villages Under its influence, 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 adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, according to the weather department. Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have also been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No 3. All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.

The low-lying areas in different parts of Panchagarh district town were flooded due to the incessant rainfall for the last few days, causing immense sufferings to local people.