The government has deployed army personnel in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts to speed up flood rescue and relief operations, according to ISPR.

Nine units of the Bangladesh Army started rescue operations in flood-hit Sylhet and Sunamganj districts in the afternoon.

“The troops have been deployed in Sylhet sadar, Gowainghat, Kompaniganj, Sunamganj sadar, Dirai, Chhatak, Doarabazar and Jamalganj upazilas to rescue the waterlogged people from their homes by boat and take them to safe shelter,” said an ISPR media release Friday.

In addition, troops have been deployed to protect food godowns in Sunamganj and the Kumargaon power station in Sylhet.

The following five tasks are assigned to the members of the army:

 1. Rescue people trapped in water and take them to safe places.

2. Selection of temporary shelters with the help of civil administration and provision of accommodation for the rescued persons.

3. Provide medical assistance

4. Assist the civil administration in maintaining food godowns, power stations and other facilities.

5. Provide food and potable water.

Flight operations at Sylhet MAG Osmani International Airport have been suspended for the next three days as the flood waters encroached on the runway.

The flood situation in the Sylhet, Sunamganj and Netrokona districts may further deteriorate in the next 24 hours, said the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre on Friday.

The flood conditions may further worsen in the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, and Kurigram districts, FFWC also said.

Most major rivers of the country are expected to keep swelling with the rainfall continuing.

Also read: Flood ravages life in 5 north-east districts inc. Sylhet