Despite a drop in the rainfall in Meghalaya, the number of flood-trapped victims continues to rise in Sylhet as 28 of its total 42 wards remain inundated.
According to the district administration, 761 villages under 10 of the district’s 14 upazilas were flooded until 3:00pm on Monday, leaving around 6.14 lakh people trapped. The number of affected villages reached 832 in a few hours, taking the number of affected people to 7.38 lakh by 10:00pm.
Sylhet recorded 52 millimetres (mm) rain, while Cherrapunji witnessed 30mm of rain in 24 hours till 9:00am on Tuesday, as per the Met department.
According to the Met office, Sylhet witnessed 214mm rain in 24 hours till 6:00pm on Tuesday and Cherrapunji recorded 122mm during the same period.
As of 9:00am today, the Surma river was flowing 5 centimetres (cm) above the danger level, said Dipak Ranjan Dash, executive engineer of Water Development Board in Sylhet.
“Our neighbours are leaving home as our area remains submerged in waist-deep water. There is no gas, electricity, or food in any of the houses. We have been waiting for help to reach, but to no avail,” said Sajidur Rahman, a resident of Sylhet city.
Meanwhile, the Sylhet City Corporation has opened around 554 shelters for the flood victims, said its public relations officer Sajlu Lashkar.
Besides, various councillors are providing shelter to the affected in their homes, reports our Moulvibazar correspondent.
“The low-lying wards were submerged after water from the overflowing Surma filled the city canals. However, the city corporation has taken all necessary precautions to address the flood situation,” the PR officer added.
Major rivers in northeastern region may swell: FFWC
Meanwhile, the water level of the major rivers in the northeastern region of the country may increase at some points for short term in 24 hours commencing at 9 am on Tuesday, said Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
According to information from meteorological organizations, medium to heavy rainfall is expected over the northern, northeastern and adjoining upstream in the next 72 hours, it said.
Flood situation in the low-lying areas of Sylhet district may improve at a slow rate during the period.
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna rivers are in rising trend, which may continue in next 48 hours while the Ganges river is in steady state and the Padma river is in rising trend, which may continue in next 48 hours.
The water level of the major rivers in the north-eastern region of the country are in falling trend.
