Heavy rainfall in the last several days and onrush of water from upstream caused sudden flooding in the country’s northeast and northern districts.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in Sylhet region has been deteriorating with water levels rising in all major rivers.
The incessant rain has also caused overflowing of major water bodies. There is serious danger of landslides in the hilly regions. Already eight lakh people have reportedly been marooned in Sylhet district alone.
Weather, flood and climate experts warn of worsening flood situation in the country in the coming days and urge immediate precautionary measures to safeguard lives and property of the people.
According to them, due to the influence of the monsoon, heavy rainfall is occurring both upstream and within the country. As a result, most areas of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Mymensingh and Lalmonirhat are currently submerged.
Experts predict that due to climate change, weather patterns have become unpredictable, and heavy rainfall can cause floods every year. Therefore, they advise concerned authorities to take measures in advance to protect the lives and property of the people.
Heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India was causing severe floods there and that floodwaters would flow down to Gaibandha, Bogura and Tangail, and then Manikganj and Munshiganj.
Thus, our responsibility is twofold — first, to effectively communicate flood forecasts so that people can take measures to protect their lives and property, and second, to take proactive steps to control flood waters in areas like Sylhet and Sunamganj, where flooding occurs every year.
As with every major flood, people in the affected areas are likely to face problems with safe drinking water and essential medicines. We hope authorities are already mapping flooded areas to make these things available.
Hundreds of thousands of people will require access to essential drugs and survival food supplies. Farmers will also require financial assistance to defray the costs of lost crops, and all this requires detailed planning and execution.
We hope that the authorities will ensure that the contingency plans are in place so that the flood-affected people can return home and be rehabilitated as soon as the flood waters recede.