Despite being one of the earthquake-prone cities in the country, Sylhet still lacks a fire hydrant network, leaving firefighters without a reliable water supply during major emergencies. The absence of hydrants, coupled with the shrinking number of natural water bodies, has raised serious concerns among fire safety experts and urban planners.
According to Fire Service officials, water carried by fire engines is sufficient to fight a blaze for only 20 to 30 minutes. Once that supply is exhausted, firefighting operations depend on alternative water sources, which are often scarce or difficult to access. To address this challenge, the Fire Service has repeatedly urged the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) to install a citywide fire hydrant system.
Sylhet has expanded rapidly over the years from a district town into a metropolitan city. The city now covers approximately 79.5 square kilometres and is home to nearly one million residents. The Sylhet City Master Plan (2010–2030) projects the city's area to grow further to 85.18 square kilometres, increasing the demand for modern urban safety infrastructure.
Tanjidul Islam, Joint Secretary of the Institute of Planners, said Sylhet has around 174,000 establishments, of which 43 percent are temporary structures. He noted that the number of high-rise buildings is steadily increasing while natural ponds and water bodies are disappearing due to rapid urbanisation, making emergency firefighting increasingly challenging.
Experts explained that fire hydrants are strategically installed along roadsides and in densely populated areas, allowing firefighters to connect hoses directly to a continuous water source. This enables fire engines to refill quickly or pump water directly to the scene, including upper floors of multi-storey buildings. Hydrants are generally available in two forms—wet barrel, which provides a continuous water supply, and dry barrel, which releases water only when activated through a valve.
Ali Akbar, Acting Chief Engineer of the Sylhet City Corporation, said he was unaware of any city in Bangladesh currently operating a fire hydrant system. Although the Fire Service has raised the issue, the city corporation has no immediate plans to introduce one. Instead, authorities intend to preserve the city's remaining ponds as alternative emergency water sources.
Md Taufiqul Islam, Assistant Director of the Sylhet Divisional Fire Service and Civil Defence, described fire hydrants as an essential component of modern urban firefighting. He said fire engines typically carry between 1,800 and 4,300 litres of water, enough for only 20 to 30 minutes of firefighting. Without a nearby and reliable water supply, fires can spread rapidly, resulting in greater damage and loss of life.
He added that a hydrant network would significantly improve emergency response, particularly in congested areas where fire engines often struggle to reach the scene quickly. He urged the inclusion of adequate fire hydrants in the SCC's ongoing master plan.
Dr Md Zahir Bin Alam, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and a member of the SCC Urban Development Committee, stressed that Sylhet's growing skyline and high seismic risk demand stronger fire safety measures. He said hydrants should be installed not only across the city but also within large buildings. Existing regulations require one-third of the water stored in building reservoirs to be reserved for firefighting, and he called on the city corporation to ensure strict compliance through regular inspections.
Dr Alam also pointed to the city's shortage of open spaces for emergency response and evacuation, noting that only the MC College Ground and the Sylhet Government Aliya Madrasa Ground offer sizeable public spaces. He recommended establishing a dedicated disaster management centre to strengthen the city's resilience against fires and other emergencies.
Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury said the government is committed to developing Sylhet into a clean, green, and sustainable city through planned urbanisation. He added that a comprehensive master plan is currently being prepared, which will incorporate all key aspects of urban management, including disaster preparedness, fire safety infrastructure, and environmental conservation.