Floods affect 500,000 people in hilly Sylhet

Heavy rainfall from monsoon downpours, coupled with water released from overflowing Indian hills, has significantly worsened the flooding situation in the rivers of Sylhet. The Surma, Kushiyara, Sari, and Sarighat rivers are overflowing at six points, causing extensive flooding in Sylhet Metropolitan City and the district. Approximately 500,000 people are currently affected by the floods, with 200,000 in 20 areas of the metropolitan area alone.

Reports indicate that flash floods began in Sylhet on the night of May 28, following heavy rains from the Indian hills. The floods have affected nearly 700,000 people across the district, with the situation worsening over the weekend.

From Monday (June 17) night until early Tuesday morning, heavy rainfall continued, exacerbating the flooding across all rivers and water bodies in Sylhet. Lower areas of Sylhet city are completely submerged, especially Shahjalal Upashahar, affecting many homes.

Numerous neighborhoods and areas such as Jatrapur, Menhibag, Shibganj, Raynagar, Sobhani Ghat, Kalighat, Kamalganj, Machimpur, Talatala, Jamtala, Kazirbazar, Akhaliya, and Mezortil are severely inundated.

Several upazilas including Gowainghat and Kompanyganj have seen roads washed away, leading to disrupted communication. Agricultural lands have been submerged, and fish have escaped into ponds.

According to the Water Development Board on Tuesday evening, water levels at various points were reported: Surma River at Kanighat Point is flowing 133 cm above danger level, Sylhet Point 27 cm above, Kushiyara River at Amalshid Point 47 cm above, and Fenchuganj Point of the same river is 88 cm above. The Sari River at Sarighat Point is flowing 33 cm above the danger level, while Sarighoain River at Sarighat Point is flowing 0.28 cm above.

The district administration reports that 864 villages and localities have been inundated in Sylhet until Tuesday. Of these, 371,507 people in the affected areas, including 10,000 in 4 wards of Sylhet Metropolitan City, are currently facing the floods. To aid those affected, 619 shelters have been opened, with 80 in the metropolitan area alone.

The Sylhet Meteorological Office reported that from 6 am on Monday to 6 am on Tuesday, the area received 153 mm of rainfall, with another 76 mm from 6 am to 6 pm on Tuesday. The agency has forecast continued heavy rains for the next three days in Sylhet, signaling further potential flooding issues