Continuous rains and landslides have led to flooding in Sylhet, dampening Eid celebrations for thousands of people living in the division. Tourist spots across the division have been closed, while some spots have been announced as off-limits to tourists.
The flood situation in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts may deteriorate further as heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over the north-eastern, northern and adjoining upstream parts of the country in the next 24 to 48 hours. Low-lying areas in Netrokona may also see deterioration in the flood situation during the period, according to a bulletin of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
All major rivers in the north-eastern region of the country may rise in the next 24 hours, it said. The ongoing flood situation in the Monu-Khowai river-connected low-lying areas of Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts may remain steady.
In the northern region, the Dudhkumar, Teesta and Dharala rivers may also rise in the next 24 to 48 hours, it further added.
Shah Md Sajib Hossain, assistant meteorologist at Sylhet Meteorological Department, said that 110mm of rainfall was recorded in Cherrapunji, India, in 24 hours. Similarly, 100mm of rain was recorded in Sylhet at the same time.
According to the FFWC, water is flowing above the danger level at six points in three rivers in Sylhet. They are the Kanighat and Sylhet points of Surma; the Amalshid and Fenchuganj points of Kushiara; and the Sherpur and Goainghat points of the Sari-Goain river.
According to the Sylhet district administration, 50,000 people in 23 wards of Sylhet city have been affected by flooding. Of them, 2,500 people went to shelter centres. Another 825,000 people in 13 upazilas of the district have been affected by the floods so far. Of them, 17,449 people are currently staying in shelter centres.
Goainghat Upazila has been most affected by the flood. Over 120,000 people in the upazila have been affected by the flood, according to sources. Road connectivity in the upazila has been snapped completely.
Meanwhile, 95,500 people from Companyanj Upazila are currently in shelter centres. Except for the Bangabandhu Highway, all the other roads of the upazila are submerged in water
Companiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sunjit Kumar Jand said that the entire upazila has been flooded. “Those whose houses were flooded have gone to shelters. We are providing relief to the flood victims,” he added.
In Moulvibazar, at least 193,000 people have been marooned in six upazilas.
Of the 37 affected unions, 10 unions are in Barlekha Upazila, six in Juri Upazila, six in Kulaura, four in Moulvibazar Sadar, six in Rajnagar and five in Sreemangal.
Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner Urme Binte Salam said: “Some 98 shelter centres have been prepared in the six upazilas, with 571 families taking refuge already. There are 56 medical teams working in these areas.”
Meanwhile, in response to continuous rain and flash floods, the administrations of Companiganj and Gowainghat upazilas decided to close all tourist spots indefinitely.
As a result, tourists will not be able to visit popular spots like Jaflong, Bisnakandi, Ratargul and Panthumai in Gowainghat as well as Sada Pathor and Utma Chora in Companiganj during Eid holidays.
Army deployed
Army personnel have been deployed to protect the flood affected Baraikandi power sub-station in South Surma of Sylhet city.
They have been working to ensure uninterrupted power supply from the power sub-station that has been affected by ongoing floods, an ISPR release said on Wednesday.
In response to the request of Sylhet City Corporation, Chief of the Army General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed directed the deployment of army personnel under ‘In Aid to Civil Power’, the ISPR added.
Baraikandi power sub-station supplies electricity to Sylhet railway station, Baraikandi, Kamal Bazar, Masukganj, BSCIC, Lalbazar, Shibbari, Kadamtoli and Sylhet central bus terminal.
Floods in the north
Meanwhile, floods may hit three northern districts—Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram—as water level at different points of several rivers, including Teesta in these districts, is flowing above the danger level.
Water in the rivers of four northern districts, including Nilphamari, has increased due to incessant rain and onrush water from the upstream.
In Lalmonirhat, water levels of local rivers and streams have increased in the last 24 hours. As a result, low-lying areas and crop fields have been submerged in the district.
