Sylhet Bureau :
Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) held a seminar on causes of flooding and sustainable flood management. The meeting was held at SCC Emergency Operation Center on Thursday.
Water resources and climate change expert Ainun Nishat attended the seminar as chief guest.
He said- ‘Sylhet city used to have many reservoirs. The entire city is at risk of flooding due to the construction of various dighis, canals and ditches. The water holding capacity of Surma River has now abnormally reduced due to the economic zone on the banks of the river. The normal flow of water in the river was interrupted and the entire city was flooded’. Earlier, the banks of Laldighi were spread out. Now this Dighi is not enough. The ditches and canals have been seized and thrown away. The walls of various houses have been constructed. Dirt and polythene in the drains have obstructed the flow of water and killed various reservoirs. Houses have been built by cutting the hills. These are one of the causes of natural disasters in Sylhet.
He also said that the global climate has changed drastically. It has also affected Bangladesh. If proper action is not taken soon, various problems will be faced. He requested City Corporation Mayor Md. Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury to take all necessary measures to prevent floods and natural disasters in coordination with the concerned departments.
Dr. Ainun Nishat said, I have stayed in Sylhet for some time so I know about Sylhet and also know Sylhet language. I have many friends in Sylhet. Yesterday, when I came to Sylhet and looked for the houses of friends and acquaintances, I saw that Sylhet is not the same as before. Visiting the city of Sylhet, I saw that many ponds were filled. If you fill the pond, why will it not flood? I would first of all tell the mayor not to fill the pond with your ward councillors. There are many hills in Sylhet. That hill cutting must be stopped.
In the president’s speech, SCC Mayor Md. Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury said that Sylhet city will be protected from floods next year by using the advice of experts.
The work will be started soon after discussing with the councilor and the environmentalist of Sylhet and all related departments. It has already been discussed in various ministries including the Prime Minister and the Minister of Local Government. They promised to cooperate with us. City Corporation will work by evaluating everyone’s experience and we all need to be aware of this. One should refrain from obstructing the flow of water and polluting the environment by throwing garbage in ditches or canals. We need to raise awareness from school life.
