Photo: Collected
Sylhet faces another severe flood crisis as relentless rainfall and upstream surges have caused rivers to rise rapidly, submerging large areas. Over the past two days, six points across three rivers in Sylhet have exceeded danger levels, affecting communities in Companiganj and Gowainghat upazilas.
As of Tuesday morning, more than 2 lakh people have been affected, with nearly 50,000 residents of Sylhet city experiencing severe waterlogging. On Eid day (Monday), the district administration distributed sacrificial meat, dry food, saline, and medicine to the flood-hit people, providing some relief amid the crisis.
Assistant Meteorologist Shah Md Sajib Hossain of the BMD reported that Sylhet received 153mm of rainfall between 6am Monday (17 June) and 6am Tuesday. With more heavy showers forecast for the next 48 hours, an additional 44mm was already recorded in just the first three hours of that period, from 6am to 9am Tuesday.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) also reported 395mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, contributing to the surging river levels. Precipitation was highest in Assam and Meghalaya, the two states bordering Sylhet on the north, where it was 223% above the mean.
This marks the second wave of flooding in Sylhet already this season, within hardly 20 days of the first - that hit on May 27, eventually affecting 750,000 people across 13 upazilas. The north-east region of Bangladesh had not even fully recovered from that first bout, when torrential rains and upstream surges hit again on June 15 (Saturday), leading to widespread flooding in the division within a day. On Eid ul Azha (Monday), Sylhet city, including many of its key roads, became submerged, disrupting daily life and mobility.
Low-lying areas of Sylhet city, particularly Shahjalal Uposhohor, are severely impacted, with waist-deep water in many homes. Other affected areas include Jatarpur, Mendibagh, Shibganj, Raynagar, Sobhanighat, Kalighat, Kamalgadh, Mashimpur, Taltola, Jamtola, Kazirbazar, Madina Market, Darga Mahalla, Akhalia, and Mejortila.
Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury said, "We were able to celebrate Eid beautifully on Monday despite the rain. But today (Tuesday) the Surma's water is flowing above the danger level. As a result, water has risen in our wards numbered 26, 28 and 29. We have already cancelled the leave of all our officers and employees.”
The district administration meanwhile has prepared 538 temporary shelters, with 343 people currently taking refuge in five upazilas. Many residents struggled to perform ritual sacrifices on Eid due to the flooding of homes and businesses.
Rural roads in several upazilas, including Gowainghat and Companiganj, are underwater, disrupting road communication and flooding agricultural fields. Fish from ponds have also been washed away.
According to the Sylhet Water Development Board, as of 9am Monday, the Surma River at Kanaighat point is 133cm above the danger level, and at Sylhet point, it is 22cm above the danger level. The Kushiyara River at Amolshid point is 15cm above the danger level, and at Fenchuganj point, it is 79cm above. The Sari River at Sarighat point is 35cm above, and the Sari-Gowainghat River is 16cm above the danger level. All rivers continue to rise.
Executive Engineer at the WDB’s Sylhet office, Dipak Ranjan Das, stated that rainfall in Meghalaya, India, has been the biggest contributor to this round of flooding, causing large surges upstream in the network of transboundary rivers in the area. The increased water levels in these rivers have only one place to go, and that is to flow downstream into Bangladesh en route to the sea.
The situation is expected to improve once rainfall decreases in India. In Gowainghat upazila, the flood situation is deteriorating, and authorities have been instructed to prepare for rescue operations, shelter management, and relief distribution.
Meanwhile, all tourist centres in Sylhet have been declared closed due to the flooding. Sylhet Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mohammad Mobarak Hossain announced the decision on Tuesday afternoon.
In Sunamganj, the flood situation has worsened despite no local rainfall, with onrush of upstream waters causing rivers to start swelling from approximately 5am on Tuesday. By noon, the Surma at Shologhar point in Sunamganj municipality was flowing 69cm above the danger level.
Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rashed Iqbal Chowdhury said shelter centres have been kept ready. There are also adequate relief materials. "We are also contacting the ministry for additional relief materials," he added.
Floodwaters have inundated various parts of Sunamganj town, forcing residents near the riverbanks to evacuate and seek refuge in shelters. The WDB has indicated that water levels will continue to rise in the district, leaving locals to apprehend what fresh misery lies ahead for them, as the situation looks set to get worse, before it gets better.
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