Over 15 lakh people in the country’s north and eastern regions are grappling with the third wave of flooding
Most of the major rivers in those areas have also been swelling due to continuous downpour for the last few days and upstream waters.
Many roads have gone under water, many dykes have collapsed while many others were damaged.
As a result, people of Sylhet, Habiganj, Netrokona, Sylhet, Moulavibazar, Kurigram, Joupurhat, Lalmonirhat and different other districts in the country’s east and north regions are sufferings from fresh floods.
Thousands of residential houses and educational institutions in those areas have been inundated by the flood waters while several thousand people have taken refuge in shelter centres.
7,00,000 marooned in Sylhet
Over seven lakh people in 13 upazilas of Sylhet district are grappling with the third wave of flooding, even before the effects of the second wave have fully subsided. Heavy rain and upstream water flow on Monday have inundated several upazilas, though Sylhet city remains unaffected so far.
In this latest flooding, 97 unions across 13 upazilas have been submerged, leaving over 700,000 people stranded. Approximately 8,351 residents are currently taking refuge in 189 shelters, according to the Sylhet district administration.
All upazilas in Sylhet have been impacted by the floods, which are attributed to hill torrents and excessive rainfall. The Surma and Kushiyara rivers, among others, are flowing above danger levels at multiple points.
The Water Development Board of Sylhet reported that at 6 pm on Tuesday, the Surma River at Kanaighat point was 112 cm above the danger level. At the Sylhet point, the water level was at 10.79 cm, just below the danger threshold of 10.80 cm.
The Kushiyara River’s water levels were 89 cm above the danger level at Amalshid point, 97 cm at Fenchuganj point, 26 cm at Sheola
point, and 17 cm at Sherpur point. Meanwhile, the water levels of the Sari, Sarigowain, and Lova rivers have slightly decreased.
Shah Md. Sajib Hossain, assistant meteorologist at the Sylhet Meteorological Department, reported 14 mm of rainfall from 6 am to 6 pm on Tuesday, with heavy rain expected to continue until today.
Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russel Hasan stated that the possibility of a third wave of floods had been anticipated, prompting upazila executive officers to prepare in advance following directives from higher authorities. He assured that relief centers are ready and that the government is fully prepared to handle the situation with caution.
Sylhet previously experienced severe flooding on May 27 due to heavy rain and hill torrents from upstream, which had largely subsided by June 8. However, continuous rain from June 17 led to a second wave of flooding. Before recovery efforts could be completed, the third wave struck on July 1, further exacerbating the situation.
3,00,000 stranded in Moulvibazar flood, 133 edn insts inundated
In Moulvibazar, around three lakh people have been stranded in five upazilas of Moulvibazar district due to flooding triggered by incessant rainfall and an onrush of water from upstream.
The flood has submerged 133 educational institutions. Md Khorshed Alam, the District Primary Education Officer, reported that 94 primary schools have been inundated, with 64 of these being used as shelters. Additionally, 39 secondary and higher secondary schools have also been flooded.
The banks of the rivers and haors in the district have overflowed due to the recent heavy rainfall and active monsoon conditions. This has resulted in the submersion of roads, houses, educational institutions, and even the Kulaura upazila parishad, causing severe hardships for residents.
Those who have taken refuge in various shelters are facing uncertainty about when they can return home. Approximately 450 people have taken shelter in 33 centers in Baralekha Upazila.
The situation remains dire as residents wait for floodwaters to recede and for aid to arrive.
Flood in Kurigram maroons 50,000; 450 shoals inundated
In Kurigram, incessant rains and onrush of water from the upstream have significantly increased the water levels of the Teesta, Brahmaputra, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers, inundating around 450 shoals in Kurigram.
As of 6:00am on Wednesday, the Brahmaputra was flowing 12 centimetres (cm) above the danger level at Noonkhawa Ghat point and 1cm above the threshold at Chilmari point. Meanwhile, the Teesta and Dharla were still flowing below the danger level, according to Bangladesh Water Development Board (WDB) officials.
However, the Dudhkumar, which was flowing below the danger level, may cross the danger mark at any moment, said Rakibul Hasan, executive engineer of WDB in Kurigram.
Most residents of the affected areas have either taken shelter on boats or on the WDB dyke, reports our Lalmonirhat correspondent.
“The water has been rising since yesterday afternoon. It entered our house this morning. We might have to relocate soon if the water levels keep increasing,” said Mobarak Ali, a 60-year-old farmer of Char Jatrapur in Kurigram Sadar.
Many others residing in the affected areas echoed him.
About 5,000 people in Jatrapur union are waterlogged, said Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Gafur.
Flood situation in northeastern region may remain static
The overall flood situation in the low-lying areas of the country’s northeastern region may remain unchanged in 24 hours from 9 am on Wednesday, said a report of the Flood Forecasting Warning Centre (FFWC).
The water level at some points of the Jamuna River along Jamalpur, Gaibandha, Bogra and Sirajganj districts may rise and probably cross the danger level in the next 24 hours, said the report.
Besides, the flood situation in the low-lying areas in Kurigram district along the Brahmaputra River may deteriorate slightly, it said.
Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma rivers are in rising trend, which may continue in next 72 hours while the Surma, Bhugai and Kangsha rivers in the northeastern region of the country are in falling trend and the Kushiyara river is in rising trend, which may continue in the next 24 hours, said the bulletin.
