Low-lying areas of the country's northern and north-central regions  have been submerged by floodwater, causing immense sufferings for  people.

The onrush of water from upstream and heavy downpours  resulted in floods, which may stay for over a week, said officials of  Water Development Board (WDB).

A bulletin of the Flood Forecasting  and Warning Centre said at least 10 rivers in the country were flowing  above the danger level around 9:00am yesterday.

"Major rivers in the north-eastern part of the country are in a rising trend, which may continue in next 24 hours," it said.

The bulletin was released at 9:00am.

The flood situation might deteriorate today in Tangail, Sirajganj, Pabna and Manikganj, said the bulletin.

Our correspondents from different districts reported on the situation.

In  Sirajganj, over 50,000 people of low-lying areas of Sadar, Kazipur,  Shahzadpur, Belkuchi and Chowhali upazilas have been marooned by  floodwater.

The Jamuna continues to swell due to onrush of water from upstream, said WDB officials.

The  river was flowing 6 centimetres above the danger mark at the district's  Hard Point around 6:00am yesterday. Such rising trend of water will  continue for over a week, they forecast.

The affected people are passing hard days due to shortage of food and drinking water.

Government officials concerned said they will begin relief distribution soon.

Lowland  areas of Bogura's Sariakandi upazila have been inundated as the Jamuna  was flowing 3cm above the danger mark at the upazila's Mathurapara point  around 6:00pm yesterday.

"The onrush of water from upstream  [Assam and Meghalaya of India] is the main reason of rapid rise of water  level. The floodwater may stay for around 10 days in this region," said  Mahbubur Rahman, executive engineer of WDB in Bogura.

"Water level has been rising rapidly since Wednesday. Around 10,000 people of Noapara and Hatbari Char have been waterlogged," said Shawkat Ali, chairman of Chaluabari union in Sariakandi upazila.

"My  entire croplands went under water on Wednesday. All of my crops have  been damaged," said Sultan Sheikh, 60, of Sangkarour Char.

In  Tangail, many areas of Kalihati, Sadar, Bhuanpur, Nagarpur, Mirzapur and  Basail upazilas have been inundated by floodwater as water of the  Jamuna and its branch rivers are rising.

WDB officials forecast that more fresh areas might go under water within a day or two as the rivers continue to swell.

Road communications are being disrupted in different areas. Cattle are facing fodder crisis as grassland has gone under water.

Ataul  Gani, deputy commissioner of the district, said necessary measures  would be taken to distribute relief materials to the flood-hit people.

[Our correspondents in Pabna, Bogura and Tangail contributed to this report.]