As the flood situation worsens, the number of people stranded by water is increasing in various districts and upazilas of the Sylhet division in just one day.
In Sylhet, Sunamganj, and Moulvibazar, extensive areas have been flooded, affecting over 16 lakh people.
As of Wednesday (June 19) afternoon, the number of people stranded by water in Sylhet city and 13 upazilas of the district has increased to over 8 lakh. On Tuesday (June 18) afternoon, this number was nearly 4 lakh. Just a few hours later, by nightfall, the number of stranded people reached nearly 7 lakh. In the span of 28 hours, the flood-affected population exceeded 8 lakh.
In Sunamganj, over 5 lakh people have been reported stranded in the affected areas.
Earlier, on May 29, 7,39,362 people were affected by a sudden flood in Sylhet. Additionally, in Moulvibazar Sadar and various upazilas, more than 3 lakh people have reportedly been stranded. Continuous light to heavy rainfall and floods from India’s Meghalaya have once again inundated vast areas of Sylhet city and 13 upazilas.
According to district administration data, as of Wednesday, 825,256 people from Sylhet city's various areas and 13 upazilas, out of a population of 4,111,835, have been stranded. The flood has affected 42 wards of the city corporation, 5 municipalities, and 1,548 villages in 129 out of 153 unions of the 13 upazilas. The number of shelters has increased from 619 to 656, housing 19,949 people as of Wednesday, up from 3,924 the previous day.
The district administration has opened one control room in the district and one in each upazila. Medical teams have been formed in each affected union, and food supplies and rescue efforts are ongoing through volunteer teams led by the upazila executive officers.
Based on information from the Meteorological Department, heavy rainfall may continue for the next three days. Consequently, the Sylhet district commissioner (DC) Sheikh Russel Hasan has instructed all concerned parties to remain on high alert.
Meanwhile, the water levels of three rivers in Sylhet have crossed danger points at five locations. By Wednesday afternoon, the Surma, Kushiyara, and Sari-Gowainghat rivers were flowing above danger levels at six points.
According to the Water Development Board, as of 6 pm on Wednesday, the water level of the Surma River was 96 cm above the danger level at Kanaighat point, 37 cm above at Sylhet point, and 62 cm above at Amalshid point for the Kushiyara River, 100 cm above at Fenchuganj point, and 21 cm above at Sherpur point, and the water level of the Sari River was 2 cm above the danger level.
Particularly, many people are stranded in Sylhet city, Gowainghat, and Companiganj upazilas. The Talttola fire station in the city is also stranded, but essential items were removed before the water rose.
Local representatives in the flood-affected areas report that many rural roads are submerged, disrupting road communication, and crops in many agricultural fields are underwater, with fish washed away from ponds.
The Surma River’s water crossing danger levels at points near the city has caused waterlogging in over 50 areas of Sylhet city, including Suburb, Teroratan, Sonarpada, Lamapara, Shibganj, Majortila, Keowapara, Talttola, Jamtala, Sobhanighat, Jatarpur, Machimpur, Pathantula, Dargamohalla, and Paya. Water has entered houses and shops, and in some places, it is knee-to-waist deep.
According to Sylhet Meteorological Department data, 100 mm of rain fell in Sylhet from 6 am Tuesday to 6 am Wednesday. From 6 am to 6 pm Wednesday, 110.2 mm of rain fell.
Meanwhile, in Sunamganj, over 4 lakh people from 69 unions and two municipalities are affected by floods. Of these, 12,439 people have taken shelter in emergency shelters. Roads including Tahirpur-Bishwambharpur-Sunamganj, Chatak-Gobindganj, and Dowarabazar-Chatak are closed to traffic due to flooding.
In Sunamganj Sadar upazila, 5,000 people are stranded; in Bishwambharpur, 22,000; in Shantiganj, 15,000; in Tahirpur, 140,000; in Jamalganj, 12,670; in Jagannathpur, 37,310; in Dirai, 78,250; in Shalla, 117; in Chatak, 200,000; and in Dowarabazar upazila, 50,000. There are 531 shelters ready, housing 12,439 people.
As per information from the Moulvibazar district administration on Wednesday afternoon, heavy rainfall over the past few days, mountain runoff, and rising river waters have flooded low-lying areas in the district’s Sadar and seven other upazilas.
A total of 474 villages across the district are flooded, affecting 281,920 people, with fears that this number could exceed 3 lakh by night. In various upazilas, 1,513 families are staying in 204 shelters, and 70 medical teams have been formed.
BDST: 1204 HRS, JUNE 20, 2024
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