Low-lying areas of Sunamganj district, including the town itself, have been submerged due to continuous rainfall over the past few days and the influx of water from upstream.
Haunted by memories of previous floods, local residents are experiencing heightened fear as the water levels of the river continue to rise.
To seek safety, 28 families, along with their domestic animals, have sought shelter in the government college located in Sunamganj city.
Moreover, the persistent rainfall over the past few days has led to a rise in water levels within the courtyards and certain houses located in the lower regions of Doarabazar, Chhatak, and Sadar Upazilas of the district.
In the last seven days, continuous rainfall has caused all the rivers in Sunamganj to swell. The Surma, Chakri, Boulai, Jadukata, Khasiamara, and Chela Jhalokhali rivers have breached their banks, resulting in the inundation of the lower regions of Sadar, Biswambharpur, Madhyanagar, Tahirpur, Doarabazar, Shantiganj, and Chhatak Upazilas.
However, heavy rainfall combined with landslides in the preceding five days has led to localized flooding in certain areas. The lower sections of roads in the Chhatak Municipal area, Islampur, and Norai Union have been submerged, and water has entered some houses. Additionally, waterlogging has been reported in specific areas of Sunamganj city and the low-lying regions of suburban Korbannagar and Mollapara Unions.
In contrast, neighboring Meghalaya's Cherrapunji has not received any rainfall in the past 24 hours, preventing a rapid increase in water levels.
Water from the hills has breached the dam on the upper left bank of the rubber dam of Chilai River in Doarabazar, leading to water entering the surrounding areas. Locals have reported rising water levels in houses located in Baraband, Maizkhala, and Sharifpur areas of this upazila. Furthermore, some classrooms in elementary schools have also been flooded.
Deputy Commissioner Didare Alam Mohammed Maksud Chowdhury has reported that a total of 37 families have found refuge in the government college in the city, along with three shelters in Chhatak and Biswambharpur. Encouragingly, the water level in the river has started to recede as of Tuesday.
