flood situation improves
Flood situation improves in Sunamganj
The overall flood situation in Sunamganj district has improved as floodwater is receding in different areas gradually after 10 days of havoc.
Around six lakh people of three upazilas under the district have suffered a lot due to the flood water setting a new record of miserable life.
Although flood water has receded from the houses, it remains on the roads.
Shahid Mia, a sexagenarian of Kalipur under the Sunamganj suburb, said, "All our houses were inundated by the flood water in 2017. The water at that time receded hurriedly. But, this year, floodwater receded very slowly which barred our and cattle movement.”
Also read: Diarrhoea breaks out in flood-hit Sylhet
Freedom Fighter Nurul Momen, a senior resident of the same area, said, “I have made my house in Kalipur 40 years ago. Floods hit my house several times. However, floods in 1988 and 2022 have lasted ever long.”
The problem can be solved only by dredging the river from Sunamganj to Bhairab, Nurul added.
Haorer Krishi and Krishak Raksha Sangram Parishad member secretary Chittaranjan Talukder said waters at many haors in the district are also receding although onrush from the hilly areas continues. It takes a few more days to recede water from all the stagnant areas.
Also read: Ways to Purify Water during Flood, Disaster, Emergency Situations
Shamsudduha, executive engineer of Water Development Board, Sunamganj said, “Three waterways (Surma-Dhanu-Meghna, Surma-Kalni-Meghna, and Surma-Meghna) of the district were flooded due to flash floods. A survey will be conducted soon for dredging in these three waterways. After implementation of the dredging project, flood water will recede in a hurry.”
All rivers of the district were flowing above the danger mark due to the onrush of hilly water and torrential rains since May 10. Upstream waters have worsened the flood situation in Sunamganj leaving thousands of villagers marooned in their inundated homes.
Flood situation improves in Sylhet as water levels recede in major rivers
The overall flood situation has improved in Sylhet as water started receding in different areas after eight days.
However, local people have to wait five more days to get back to the previous condition and have to remain marooned during this period.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Water Development Board said it has already taken an initiative to stop such flood in the future in the divisional city.
SM Shahidul Islam, additional chief engineer of Water Development Board, Sylhet, said, “The flood water is decreasing. There is no possibility of worsening the situation in Sylhet. But the flood-hit people will have to remain marooned for five more days. We are repairing the damaged dams.”
“A new project has been taken for dredging the Surma River. After completion of the dredging of the Surma River, flood situation will improve in Sylhet,” he said.
According to the Water Development Board, the Surma River was flowing 85 cenetemetres above the danger level at Kanaighat point Saturday morning while it was flowing 25 centemetres above the danger mark in Sylhet point. However, the water level at both points decreased than Friday.
Water-borne diseases including diarrhoea have broken out in Sylhet. Many families of the city left for the village home on Friday and Saturday.
Md. Mostafizur Rahman, the executive engineer of Roads and Highways Department, Sylhet, said, about 65 kilometres of 10 main inter-districts roads have been inundated. Vehicular movement on five roads remained suspended.
Also Read: Flooding affects millions in Sylhet
Deputy Commissioner Md. Mojibur Rahman said the administration is providing all kinds of assistance to the flood victims.
Relief materials have been distributed among the flood victims, he added.
Meanwhile, around 70,000 people of five unions under Beanibazar upazila of the district remained marooned as the water level marked a rise in the Kushiara River.
Around 50 educational institutions remained closed in the upazila due to flood. Small vehicles plying on the Sylhet-Beanibazar highway remained suspended as 18 points of the highway have been inundated. However, buses are plying on the road amid risk of accident.
Ashik Noor, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Beanibazar, said 88 flood-affected families have taken shelter at 13 shelters out of 24 temporary flood shelters and this number is increasing .
According to the Beanibazar upazila administration, around 14,000 families of various unions of the upazila are flood affected.
In Sunamganj, the water levels in major rivers of the district was flowing 2 centemetres above the danger mark Saturday morning, said the Water Development Board.
Many flood victims of the district have alleged that they have not got relief from the administration.
Md. Jahangir Hossain, deputy commissioner, said they have already distributed 165 metric tonnes of rice, Tk 12 lakh, and dry food among the flood victims.
Kurigram’s flood situation improves
People are returning to their homes as the flood situation gradually improves in Kurigram with major rivers flowing through the districts all flowing below the danger level.