Photo: Collected
The current situation is dire due to heavy rain causing widespread destruction across the country. Panic grips people as district towns, suburbs, and rural areas are submerged, resulting in casualties. Approximately 15 lakh people nationwide, with over 13 lakh in Sylhet alone, are affected, facing water shortages and severed road communications. Power outages are widespread, and floods have led to significant economic losses, with fish stocks and agricultural lands submerged. Farmers are struggling to protect their livestock amidst rising floodwaters, while homes and trees have been destroyed. The army has been mobilised to safeguard critical infrastructure like the Dakshin Surma Barikandi power substation in Sylhet. The situation is compounded by the spread of sewage-related odors and increased health risks due to the floodwaters.
The recent heavy rains have softened the hills across the country, leading to severe consequences. In the Rohingya camp alone, 10 fatalities have been reported, with another 10 lakh people at risk due to the heightened danger of landslides. The risk of landslides has also escalated in various areas of Chittagong, prompting the administration to issue warnings. Additionally, the Meteorological Department has raised signal warning number 3 at three seaports and Cox's Bazar, anticipating more rain and stormy winds on Thursday. Furthermore, landslide alerts have been issued in Chittagong and Sylhet divisions due to the persistent heavy rainfall.
The incessant rain that began the night before Eid-ul-Azha has yet to cease. The Meteorological Office has warned of more heavy rain expected in the Sylhet region, exacerbating the flood situation. There are concerns that conditions similar to those experienced in 2022 may reoccur, causing distress among residents. Currently, around 7 lakh people are affected in 13 upazilas of Sylhet, 2.5 lakh in 4 upazilas of Sunamganj, 2 lakh in Kulaura, and other areas of Moulvibazar, with an additional 1.35 lakh people trapped in water. In other parts of the country, at least two lakh people are also stranded due to flooding.
Due to the submergence of Sylhet and Sunamganj cities, road communication has been severely disrupted. Tourism centers have been closed, and classes in schools and colleges have been suspended. Central examinations have also been halted. Additionally, there has been erosion of dams in Habiganj, leading to an increase in river water levels in the northern region. Major rivers, including the Teesta, are flowing above the danger level in some areas.
The forecast of incessant rain over the next few days has raised concerns about the potential for a worsening flood situation in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, and Kurigram districts.
Professor Golam Md. Munna from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of Shahjalal Science and Technology University in Sylhet highlighted two main reasons for the frequent floods in the Sylhet region. He explained that these reasons are both natural and artificial in nature.
Naturally, heavy rains in Meghalaya, India contribute significantly to the floods in Sylhet. The water from rains flows into the Surma and Kushiara rivers. However, these rivers do not have adequate capacity to accommodate such large volumes of water, exacerbating the flood situation.
Artificial factors also play a crucial role. Professor Munna pointed out issues such as inadequate river navigability, which prevents efficient water flow. He also highlighted problems stemming from poorly planned urbanisation and inadequate drainage management in the region. These factors collectively contribute to the recurrent flooding issues faced by Sylhet.
1.3 million people are trapped in water in Sylhet:
The flood situation in Sylhet and its surrounding areas has become increasingly dire. Rising water levels, compounded by continuous rainfall and upstream flow, have severely impacted the entire region, including the city of Sylhet. The condition in Chatak, Doarabazar, Sadar, and other upazilas of Sunamganj is particularly critical, with at least 13.5 lakh people in the Surma and Kushyara basins being waterlogged.
In Goainghat, Companyganj, Kanighat, and Jaintapur, bordering Sylhet district, the situation is especially dire. Road communication in most areas has been cut off, with main roads submerged underwater. The waterlogged residents of these upazilas are seeking refuge in shelters. The district administration reports that 1,300 villages have been flooded as of Thursday afternoon, and 17,285 displaced individuals are staying in 627 shelters.
Since Thursday morning, heavy rainfall in Sylhet has led to further inundation of new areas. Communication between Goainghat and Sylhet has been severed, with water flowing over the Salutikar-Goainghat and Jaflong-Goainghat roads.
Residents note that such severe flooding is unprecedented. Previously, heavy rains would cause temporary flooding on main roads in the suburbs, but not to the extent seen in 2022 and 2024. The current situation is far worse, with prolonged and intense flooding causing significant disruption and displacement.
Teknaf (Cox's Bazar): Due to heavy rains, 20,000 people have become waterlogged in Teknaf and Saint Martin in Cox's Bazar. Hundreds of houses, shrimp enclosures, fields, and farmlands have been submerged. Although landslides have occurred in various places in the upazila, no injuries have been reported. Additionally, many people's homes have been flooded.
Netrakona: Water levels in major rivers are rising rapidly. In Kalmakanda upazila, the Updakhali River is flowing 33 cm above the danger level, submerging the important Mantala road in the process.
Rangpur: Erosion has started in several areas of Teesta basin of Kaunia, Pirgacha and Gangachra upazilas of the district with the rise of Teesta river water. Many of the families affected by the erosion are forced to evacuate due to no preventive measures taken by the town. There were reports of water seeping around houses in several Char areas. Rural roads are under water. The pepper and vegetable crops of those areas have sunk. The families of the victims said that if measures are not taken to prevent erosion on an urgent basis, it will become all alone.
Nilphamari: Teesta water was flowing below the danger level by 20 cm at Teesta barrage point on Wednesday morning. However, as the day progressed, the water began to decrease. But if the rain does not stop, the river water may exceed the danger level and flood the locality at any time, the residents of the riverside area fear.
Kurigram: Among the major rivers in Kurigram, the Teesta and Dudhkumar rivers are flowing above the danger level. As of 9 am on Wednesday, the Dudhkumar River was 5 cm above the danger level at Pateshwari point, and the Teesta River was 20 cm above the danger level at Kaunia point. Additionally, the water levels of other rivers are approaching the danger level.
Gaibandha: All rivers in the district continue to rise, particularly the Brahmaputra, Ghaghat, Teesta, and Kartowa rivers. In the last 24 hours, the Teesta's water level has risen to 20 cm above the danger level.
1 Million Rohingyas at risk of landslides, 10 dead:
A landslide tragedy in Cox's Bazar's Ukhia has resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, including two children, in four Rohingya camps. Environmental activists warn that over 1 million Rohingyas are living in perilous conditions. The hills, softened by incessant rain, pose a significant risk of further accidents.
Additional DIG Amir Zafar, Commander of the Armed Police Battalion, stated that it had been raining in Cox's Bazar since Tuesday night. On Wednesday, landslides occurred in the Balukhali Panbazar and Hakim Para camps, resulting in five deaths, including one Bangladeshi, in Panbazar camp and four deaths in Hakimpara camp. Another death was later reported in a different camp.
Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, the Cox's Bazar Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, confirmed that separate landslides occurred in four different camps in Ukhiya due to the ongoing heavy rains. With the rain persisting, residents in areas at risk of further landslides are being evacuated to safer locations.
Messenger/Fameema
