Flash flood hits northeastern Bangladesh, low-lying lands submerged

Low-lying lands in Goainghat and Jaitapur upazilas of Sylhet and Doarbazar upazila of Sunamganj have mee submerged by water due to onrush of upstream water and days of heavy rain triggered by severe cyclonic storm ‘Asani’.

Water is flowing above the danger level at many points as the water level of various rivers including the Kushiara and Surma rivers increased.

Earlier, on Thursday, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) forecast for a flash flood in the Teesta basin following heavy rain in its catchment upstream areas across the border.

Sylhet Water Development Board says, Meghalaya, Tripura and Assam in India have been experiencing heavy rains for the last couple of days, resulting in rise in water levels of many rivers including Surma, Kushiara, Bhogai-Kongso, Dhanu-Baulai, Monu and Khoai.

The residents of 50 villages in Goainghat, Jaintapur and Companiganj upazilas of the district have been marooned while the road communications were snapped due to flash flood.

Syed Ahmed Chowdhury, senior officer of Sylhet Weather Observatory Office, said, “Moderate to heavy rains likely to continue till May 18 especially at night.”

In Sunamganj, Doarabazar upazila has been flooded due to onrush of hill water and showers for the last couple of days, causing immense sufferings to the residents.

A vast track of boro paddy field was submerged due to the flash flood.

The residents of the upazila have been passing days amid anxiety following the rise in water levels in different rivers and haors including Surma, Chela, Mora, Chilai, Chalti, Kaliuri, Dhumkhali and Chagalchora.

Besides, the roads and paddy fields of Bangla Bazar, Laxmipur, Bogula, Narsinghpur, Surma, Dohalia, Pandargaon, Mannargaon and Doara Sadar unions were inundated.

If the situation continues then the standing crops and Robi crops will also be flooded.

Debangshu Kumar Singha, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Doarabazar, said no report of damage was found till today but the local administration is on alert to tackle any disaster.