Heavy rains in both upstream India and downstream Bangladesh, along with a sharp rise in the water levels in most of the major river systems, may push Bangladesh towards a major flood.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury said that shelters in the flood-hit areas have taken in a total of 3,68,586 people so far.

Fresh floods have hit 356 upazilas (sub-districts) in 20 districts, including northeastern Sylhet, Sunamganj and Netrokona, he said.

So far, 27 deaths have been reported.

The country’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said that if the current trend continues, water levels in the Jamuna River may rise to 1.45 m above the danger level by Friday and that the country may face a major flood, similar to the one in 1988.