20 lakh marooned as Sylhet flood situation worsens

The flood situation in Sylhet has worsened further as some rivers kept flowing above the danger level affecting 20 lakh people, reports UNB.

Continued onrush of hilly waters from India caused the situation to deteriorate again on Thursday morning.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said that the flood situation may worsen in some places in the northeastern parts of Sylhet and low-lying areas of Sunamganj in the next 24 hours.

Although the showers have subsided in the district in the last two days, the water levels in rivers and haors of Sylhet rose two more inches.

According to the administration, at least 30 areas of Sylhet city have been flooded.

The flood situation has also worsened in 13 upazilas of the district -- Companiganj, Gowainghat, Kanaighat, Zakiganj, Jaintapur and Sylhet Sadar upazilas to name a few.

Meanwhile, the floods have triggered power cuts in different upazilas and Sylhet city, hitting hard some 11.5 lakh consumers of Bangladesh Power Development Board and Palli Bidyut Samiti.

Two sub-stations of the Development Board and two sub-stations of Palli Bidyut Samiti have been shut down due to the rise in flood waters, according to officials.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the Surma river has been flowing 127 cm above the danger level at Kanaighat Point. At Sylhet point, it has increased by 13 cm and is flowing 42 cm above the danger level.

Besides, the water of Kushiara has increased by 20 cm at Amalsid (Sylhet) point and is now flowing 158 cm above the danger level. On the other hand, at Sheola (Sylhet) point, the water level of the river has risen by 8 cm.

Meanwhile, a senior meteorologist with the Sylhet Meteorological Office, Sayeed Ahmed Chowdhury said the showers may continue for the next few days. Besides, the onrush of water from the upstream will continue as the rainfall in the Indian state of Meghalaya is not decreasing.

On Wednesday afternoon, several roads were inundated, with floodwaters entering a number of government establishments in Sylhet city, including Sylhet Fire Service Office, Sylhet Divisional Commissioner's Office, Deputy Inspector General's Office, Kotwali Police Station, Divisional Forest Officer's Office, Topkhana Roads and Highways’ Office, Sobhanighat Police Outpost and regional power offices.

Most of the educational institutions in the flood-hit areas were also submerged.

Aditional deputy commissioner of Sylhet (overall) Anwar Sadat said that 274 shelters have been set up in the district. "Around 6,475 people are currently in 78 shelters."