Water levels in major rivers in Sylhet continue to rise following several days of heavy rainfall and an onrush of water from upstream sources.
Although none of the rivers have yet crossed the danger level, officials from the Water Development Board (WDB) have warned that the situation may worsen if the rain and upstream water flow persist.
According to the Sylhet Meteorological Office, the region recorded 193.8 millimetres of rainfall between 6am Tuesday and 6am Wednesday. An additional 28 millimetres of rainfall was recorded between 6am and 12pm on Wednesday.
Dipak Ranjan Das, executive engineer of the WDB in Sylhet, said water levels in the region's rivers have been rising steadily over the past few days.
“The primary reason is the hill runoff from India. If the rainfall decreases there, the situation will begin to normalize. Persistent heavy rainfall in Sylhet is also contributing to the rising water levels,” he said.
Low-lying areas in several upazilas—Gowainghat, Companiganj, Kanaighat, and Jaintiapur—have already been inundated due to the swelling rivers.
Popular tourist spot Zero Point in Gowainghat’s Jaflong area is now submerged. The water level at the Sadapathar tourist site in Companiganj has also risen significantly.
Gowainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ratan Kumar Adhikari said that while no villages in his upazila have been inundated yet, the rivers are rising and water has begun entering the haor areas. “The local administration is fully prepared in case of early flooding,” he added.
Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad said: “No flood situation has developed in Sylhet as of now, and none of the rivers have crossed the danger mark. However, the local administration has taken precautions down to the union level. If the situation worsens, volunteers, government officials, and other relevant personnel are ready to respond.”
