Lowlands inundated in Sylhet amid rising river waters
S A Shofiee, Sylhet:
Due to the torrential rains and continuous rains coming down from the hilly regions of India, the water levels of the two main rivers of Sylhet, Surma and Kushiyara, have suddenly increased.
As of Monday (June 2), the water levels at four points of the Surma-Kushiyara rivers in Sylhet were flowing above the danger level. As a result, there is a threat of flooding in the low-lying areas of the district.
In the meantime, the dikes of the Kushiyara river have broken at three places in Zakiganj and water is entering the locality. Various villages in the upazila have started to sink. There have been reports of water overflowing the dikes at several places in Chhabria, Senapati’s Chowk, Ichapur, Pillakandi, Amalshid and Khalachhara unions of the upazila.
Local people said that water started entering through the dike of the Kushiyara river near Rarai village at around 2:30 am on Sunday. Early Monday morning, water broke through the river dikes near Bakharshal in the same union and Loharmahal village in Khalachhara union around 8 am, flooding Zakiganj town. In addition, water has started flowing into Zakiganj town by overflowing the defense dam near Keshari village. A part of the dike near Maijkandi village has collapsed into the riverbed.
Limon Talukder, a resident of Birshri union in Zakiganj upazila, said that the water in the Kushiyara river is rising very quickly due to the sudden subsidence. There are many houses near the river banks, and if the water does not subside now, there is a fear of flooding within a few days.
The Sylhet Water Development Board said that until 12:30 pm on Monday, the water at the Kanaighat point of the Surma river was flowing 87 centimeters above the danger level. The water at the Amalshid point of the Kushiyara river was flowing 185 centimeters above the danger level, at the Shewa point 46 centimeters above the danger level, and at the Fenchuganj point 34 centimeters above the danger level. Besides, the water at Moulvibazar point of the Manu River was flowing 67 centimeters above the danger level. The water of the Dhalai River has also started rising. However, the good news is that the water of the Sari, Dawki and Sari-Goain rivers is decreasing.
Paubo officials said that the water of the rivers is rising rapidly due to the excess water coming down from the hilly areas of India and continuous rainfall. Especially the impact of the upstream flood has been more on the border points.
Sylhet Meteorological Office Meteorologist Shah Md. Sajeeb Hossain said that 32 millimeters of rainfall has been recorded in Sylhet in the last 24 hours. In addition, in the last 24 hours, 69 millimeters of rainfall has been recorded in Tripura, 55 millimeters in Mizoram, 50 millimeters in Cooch Behar and 50 millimeters in Meghalaya.
Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Sher Mahbub Murad said in this regard, we are on the highest alert to monitor and deal with the flood situation. Residents of low-lying areas and flood-prone areas have been asked to be alert. All preparations have been made to evacuate them to a safe place if necessary. The relevant departments have also been put on alert to deal with the flood situation.
The Kushiyara river have broken at three places in Zakiganj
