S A Shofiee, Sylhet:
Due to the heavy rains in the last 24 hours due to the influence of monsoon winds, the water level of all rivers in Sylhet division is rising rapidly, but no river has crossed the danger mark yet. Due to the heavy rains, waterlogging has occurred in several low-lying areas of the district, including some areas of Sylhet city. In addition to Jaflong in the district, strong water movement and erosion have also been reported in the riverbank areas of Gowainghat, Companiganj and Kanaighat upazilas. Many mud houses have been damaged in these areas.
According to the Flood Forecasting Center of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, in the previous 24 hours till 9 am today, 216 millimeters of rainfall has been received in Lalakhal of Jaintapur upazila of Sylhet, 136 millimeters in Jaflong of Gowainghat upazila, 92 millimeters in Sylhet city, 165 millimeters in Sunamganj city and an average of 136 millimeters in Laur of Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj.
At the same time, the water level of the Surma River has increased by 30 centimeters at the Kanaighat point, 37 centimeters at the Sylhet point, 36 centimeters at the Chhatak point in Sunamganj, and 44 centimeters at the Shar point in Sunamganj.
The water level of the Kushiyara River has increased by 24 centimeters at the Amalshid point in Zakiganj, Sylhet, 41 centimeters at the Shewla point in Beanibazar, and 42 centimeters at Sherpur in Moulvibazar.
The water level of the Manu River has increased by 22 centimeters at the Moulvibazar point, the water level of the Piain River has increased by 102 centimeters at the Jaflong point in Gowainghat, Sylhet, the Sarigoain River has increased by 89 centimeters at the Sarigoain point in Jaintapur, and 60 centimeters at the Gowainghat point.
However, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center has said that the water level of all the rivers in the Surma-Kushiyara basin may continue to rise in the next three days, but it may flow below the danger level.
On Monday (May 19) morning, the floodwaters coming down from Meghalaya, India, entered Bangladesh through the Dhalai and Piyain rivers. It quickly flooded the surrounding areas including Zero Point and Sadapathar in Jaflong.
As the river water was flowing at a high speed, water entered the surrounding settlements and businesses. Within a few hours, the river water level reached close to the danger level. Most of the tourist areas in Sadapathar and Jaflong have already been submerged in water. As a result, these tourist areas have been closed. However, the water has started receding after 11 am on Tuesday (May 20).
In addition to Jaflong, reports of strong water movement and erosion have also been received in the riverbank areas of Gowainghat, Companiganj and Kanaighat upazilas. Many mud houses have been damaged in these areas.
The Meteorological Department said that there is a possibility of moderate to heavy rainfall in Sylhet and Meghalaya regions of India in the next 24 hours. As a result, the river water may rise further and the flood situation may worsen.
According to the local administration, the river water has reached the danger level within a few hours.
Most of the tourist areas of Jaflong have already been submerged in water. As a result, all types of tourist activities have been stopped. Local residents have been ordered to move to safe shelters for safety.
The Meteorological Department said that there is a possibility of moderate to heavy rainfall in Sylhet and the Meghalaya region of India in the next 24 hours. As a result, the river water may rise further and the flood situation may worsen.
To deal with the situation, the government has declared Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions as ‘risky areas’ and issued a flash flood warning. Volunteer teams from the Disaster Management Department, the army and the Red Crescent have been kept ready.
Meanwhile, the water in the Surma, Kushiyara and Sari rivers also continues to rise. The Water Development Board said that the water in these rivers may overflow and flood new areas.
The people have been requested not to panic, but to be aware and follow the instructions of the local administration. Boats and other equipment have been kept ready for rescue work.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Sylhet meteorologist Shah Md. Sajib Hossain said that there are still heavy clouds in the sky over Sylhet and the rain will continue.
