The Sunamganj district administration has issued a special advisory for tourists planning to visit Tanguar Haor as continuous rainfall and hill runoff have raised water levels in rivers across the district, triggering fears of flooding.
In an advisory signed by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Matiur Rahman Khan on Thursday afternoon, the administration urged tourists and houseboat owners to exercise caution.
According to the advisory, heavy rainfall in Sunamganj and India's Meghalaya state has led to a flood-like situation, with water levels rising in the Surma, Kushiyara, Jadukata, and other rivers. Some rivers have already crossed the danger level.
The administration warned that navigation in the haor has become risky due to inclement weather, continuous rainfall, and hill runoff. It urged houseboat operators not to take tourists into the haor under the current conditions.
Houseboat owners have also been instructed to avoid carrying excess passengers and ensure the availability of standard life jackets and life buoy rings on board.
The advisory asked both houseboat operators and tourists to follow weather forecasts issued by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and heed warnings from the Bangladesh Water Development Board and the local administration.
It also said that if the flood situation worsens and authorities order the temporary suspension of houseboat operations, the directive must be implemented immediately.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Matiur Rahman said the district administration has opened a control room to monitor and respond to the evolving flood situation.
"Tourism in the haor is risky at this moment," he said.