Author(s): Shampa; Md. Rayhan; Md. Hasanur Rahman; Shahriar Ahmed Toufiq; Shammi Haque; Sonia Binte Murshed
Linked Author(s): Shampa -
Keywords: Extreme Flash flood EWS 2022 flood Sylhet
Abstract: In 2022, northeastern Bangladesh experienced an extreme flash flood. This study explored whether local communities could perceive the risk of the extreme flood from official early warning messages (EWMs) and identified the limitations contributing to these gaps. By analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, we found that only 23% of the last-mile community received EWMs during the flood event. However, the EWMs lacked specific information regarding the potential for an ‘extreme flood’. Additionally, the forecasting station was situated at a relatively higher elevation, which may have hindered its ability to accurately represent the on-ground flood conditions. The flood warnings were generated using a one-dimensional (1D) hydraulic model. However, numerical model simulations from this study showed that the haor basin was already at capacity due to rainfall on May 13 and June 4 of 2022. The subsequent heavy rainfall from June 15 to June 18 significantly increased flood depths. This dynamic, involving the cumulative effects of prior rainfall and subsequent flood, was likely not captured effectively by the official forecasting system.
Year: 2025