Photo : Messenger
The Haor region of Sunamganj district is once again grappling with floodwaters as heavy rains and upstream hilly torrents have led to a significant rise in river levels.
The district headquarters, along with Tahirpur and Bishwamvarpur upazilas, have reported flooding, with roads and homes submerged underwater.
The Sunamganj Water Development Board (WDB) has recorded 170 mm of rainfall in Sunamganj and a staggering 313 mm in Cherrapunji, India, over the past 24 hours. This deluge, along with upstream floodwaters, has caused the water levels in the district's rivers and haors to surge, resulting in widespread flooding.
The Surma River at Shologhar in the municipal town has seen a dramatic increase of 60 cm in the last 24 hours, flowing above the danger level. WDB Executive Engineer Md. Mamun Hawladar attributed the rising water levels to two days of rainfall in Sunamganj and the upstream region of Cherrapunji in India. He also noted that the situation may deteriorate further due to the forecast of heavy rain over the next two days, although he did not anticipate a major flood.
On Monday, July 1, water inundated low-lying areas of the municipal town, with areas such as Nutan Para, Haji Para, Nabinagar, and Jagannath Bari reporting waterlogged roads. The Tahirpur-Sunamganj road at Durgapur and Shaktiarkhola in Bishwamvarpur upazila, along with Anwarpur in Tahirpur, have been submerged by torrents, halting vehicular traffic since Sunday. Locals have resorted to using boats to navigate these flooded areas.
This is not the first time Sunamganj has faced flooding this monsoon season. The initial floods began on June 16, submerging the entire district and affecting 1,018 villages. Over 800,000 people were stranded, with numerous homes, roads, and infrastructure flooded. Approximately 25,000 families sought refuge in houses, educational institutions, and government and non-government buildings. After June 23, as water levels receded, residents began to return home, although some are still displaced.
The district is now bracing for the possibility of another flood situation, with relief efforts ongoing and residents hoping for a respite from the relentless waters.
Messenger/Fameema
