SYLHET, June 28, 2020 (BSS) – Flood situation has deteriorated in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts due to swelling of major rivers caused by continuous rain and the onrush of water from the upstream.
Thousands of people were marooned in eight upazilas in Sylhet and 11 upazilas in Sunamganj as flood water inundated their homesteads.
Officials of the Water Development Board (WDB), Sylhet, said the rise in water levels in the region’s many major rivers due to heavy rainfall and the onrush of water from India deteriorated the flood situation in Sylhet and Sunamganj making thousands of people marooned.
Due to heavy rainfall in Barak basin across the border and hilly surge from the rivers of Meghalaya in India, the water of the Surma and the Jadukata rivers are flowing above the danger levels.
The Surma River was flowing 13cm above danger level at Kanaighat station at 12 pm on Sunday, while 10 cm above danger level at Sylhet point and 11 cm at Sunamganj point, according to the data of Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
The water of Kushiyara River is flowing near the danger level at different points.
The Jadukata River is flowing 9 cm above the danger level at Tahirpur point in Sunamganj.
Companiganj, Gowainghat, Jaintiapur, Kanaighat, Sylhet sadar and Golapganj upazilas in Sylhet district are severely affected by flood. A huge number of houses, schools and colleges and business establishments have been flooded in these upazilas. The low-lying areas of Sylhet city also went under flood water.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sylhet district Emdadul Islam told BSS that the district administration has already allocated 266 metric tonnes of rice and Taka 10 lakh for the flood victims.
The distribution of the assistance began today while shelter centres remain ready for the affected people, he added.
In Sunamganj, all upazilas and municipalities have been affected by flood, while road communication in Sullah, Chhatak, Dowarabazar and Tahirpur upazilas were suspected due to flooding.
DC of Sunamganj Mohammad Shariful Islam said the district administration has allocated 410 metric tonnes of rice and Taka 30 lakh for the flood affected people in the district.
He said dry food distribution began in all the 11 upazilas following the health guidelines and 78 shelter centres remain open to tackle the flood situation.
According to the data of Meteorological Department, 51 mm rainfall was recorded in Sylhet region in the last 24 hours. The Met Office forecasts that rain is likely to occur in the region in next three days.