Low-lying areas in five upazilas of Sylhet have been inundated amid incessant rains and onrush of water from upstream, leaving 3 lakh people stranded.
The four flood-hit upazilas are Gowainighat, Jaintapur, Kanaighat, Zakiganj, and Companiganj.
Flood water submerged the Sylhet-Tamabil highway near Bangla Bazaar, Ronpani, and Biraimara areas of Jaintapur on Thursday morning due to rise of water levels in different rivers, disrupting communication.
The army, BGB, Jaintapur Model Police Station team, Fire Service, Ansar VDP, representatives from various unions, voluntary organisations, and social and political leaders were seen actively participating in the rescue operations.
Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russell Hasan and Additional Superintendent of Police Mahfuz Akhter Simul visited the flood-affected areas along with some local public representatives and government officials.
The swelling of the Sari and Piain rivers have marooned people in various villages in Nijpat, Jaintapur, Darbast, and Charikata unions of Jakiganj upazila.
The low-lying areas of Nijpat Lamapara, Bandarhati, Moynahhati, Jangalhati, Borkhela, Meghli, Tilkaipara, Fulbari, Noyabad, Horni, Bairakhel, Guaboari, Dibihaor haor, Ghilatali, Muktapur, Biraimara haor, Kharubil, Lamanigram, Katakhali, Bauerbhag, and Baon haor in the upazila went under water.
A total of 48 shelters and a control room have been opened across six unions in the upazila.
Jaintapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Umme Salika Rumaiya said army, BGB, fire service, and police are actively involved in rescue operations.
All 48 shelters are prepared with necessary amenities, she said.
Liaquat Ali, Chairman of the Jaintapur Upazila Parishad, said rescue operation was hampered by darkness and strong currents on Wednesday night and it resumed on Thursday morning.
On Thursday, the district administration distributed 1,000 sacks (200 sacks in each upazila) of dry food, 75 metric tons of rice (15 mts in each upazila), and relief materials worth Tk 2.5 lakh in five upazilas.