Tourism businesses in Sunamganj are bouncing back gradually after suffering significant losses for over two months due to three rounds of flood and political instability. Restrictions in several tourist areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts redirected tourists to Sunamganj’s famed Haor region, including Tanguar Haor and the Tahirpur border areas, providing a much-needed boost to local businesses. Houseboat owners said they suffered losses amounting to around Tk 50 crore during this period. Tour operators said they are now facing overwhelming demand, with all houseboats fully booked in advance. Travel ban hits tourism businesses in CHT hard Popular tourist destinations like Tanguar Haor, Shaheed Siraj Lake (Niladri), Shimul Garden, and the Jadukata River are now filled with visitors. Aziz Sarkar, a banker from Rajshahi, expressed his amazement after exploring the region for the first time. “The Tanguar Haor has amazed us greatly. We are overjoyed. We have never seen such large haor before. The diversity of the haor, especially the settlements on its shores, and how they survive and live, has left a mark on our minds,” said Aziz, who came with a group of 36 people, most of whom are bank employees. Tourist Mahbuba Rahman Sathi, a tourist from Dhaka, said, “We had been planning to visit Tanguar Haor for a long time. The weather is good now, so we came. Our group consists of 12 family members. Sylhet is always beautiful, but the haor is even more beautiful. We’ve been touring in a houseboat since morning. It feels great.” However, the region’s poor road infrastructures are challenge for visitors, said some tourists. Moulvibazar Travel Guide: Explore the Top Tourist Attractions “The road from Sunamganj to Tahirpur is in bad shape. Women and children, in particular, had a hard time getting here. These things stand as obstacles to the development of tourist areas,” said Manjurul Islam Soumik from Feni. He also raised concerns about the lack of visible tourist police and disconnected phone numbers listed on safety sign boards. Responding to these complaints, Habibur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of the Tourist Police in Sunamganj, explained that his mobile phone had been out of service due to damage but is now operational. “We have 8 members. The tourist police are working round the clock to ensure the safety of tourists,” he said. Arian Emon, CEO of Haimanti Houseboat, said, “We have incurred losses of around Tk 50 crore in the past two months. Currently, due to the restrictions in Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari tourists are coming to the Haor. All our boats are fully booked. Many are still trying to book. There’s now a festive atmosphere in the Haor,” he said. Trip to Tanguar Haor, Sunamganj: Majestic aquatic beauty soaking the horizon

The flood situation in some low-lying areas of Netrakona district and Sylhet, Sunamganj districts in the northeastern part of the country may remain unchanged in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Thursday (June 20, 2024). The flood situation in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts along the low-lying areas of Manu-Khwai river may improve, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC). Except Surma, major rivers in the North-eastern region of the country are in rising trendwhich may continue in the next 24 hours. Flood leaves over 8 lakh people inundated in Sylhet The Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers are in rising trend and may continuously rise for the next72 hours with a chance of reaching the Warning Level at some points. Besides, the Padma river is in rising trend, which may continue in next 48 hours, it said.The water level of Dudhkumar, Teesta and Dharla rivers in the northern part of the country may rise and flashflood may hit some low-lying areas of Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur districts. River Teesta may cross danger level at Dalia Point in next 24 hours for a short period of time. According to the information from meteorological organizations, medium to heavy rainfall is expected over the northern and adjoining upstream region and heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over the north-eastern, northern and adjoining upstream parts of the country in 24 to 48 hours, it added. Flood situation worsens in Sunamganj; several thousand marooned

The only road and bridge connecting Baliaghat Notun Bazar to Tahirpur Sadar and Boro Badaghat Bazar in Tahirpur Upazila of Sunamganj have become entirely impassable due to lack of repair. Residents of 20 villages in the upazila are compelled to risk their lives crossing the dilapidated road and bridge that remained unrepaired since the last year’s flood. The bridge situated in front of Khalshajuri Primary School along the road connecting Baliaghat New Market to Kaukandi Bazar and Badaghat Bazar has completely collapsed. EC asks to withdraw Mymensingh DC, Sunamganj DC to be transferred The lack of renovation of the road and bridge has forced local residents, including school and madrasa students, to cross the broken bridge, putting them at constant risk of accidents, said local people. Motorcycle and autorickshaw drivers carrying passengers are particularly vulnerable to accidents on the damaged bridge. Locals said during the last flood, the waves of Haor waterflow caused extensive damage to both sides of the road. Residents of the area have voiced their frustration over the prolonged inaction regarding the repair of the bridge and road. They have collectively demanded that the government take immediate action to rebuild the broken bridge and road to make those suitable for use. Cops, journalists among 10 injured during BNP-police clash in Sunamganj Local resident Nurul Amin said that the bridge and road sustained significant damage during the last flood, but no repairs have been undertaken since then. "Last year, some soil was provided under the Haor Protection Dam construction. However, when the monsoon rains brought in floods, the bridge and  the road collapsed. Subsequently, locals resorted to using bamboo sticks to makeshift repairs, allowing for some form of movement,” he said. Despite these efforts, autorickshaw and motorcycle drivers carrying passengers frequently encounter accidents on this unstable bridge. Some students expressed their dismay over the poor condition of the road and bridge. Motorcyclist Gafur Mia expressed his frustration saying, "We depend on motorcycles for our livelihood. We don't want to ride on broken roads. But we are forced to drive. Accidents occur here every few days while driving on broken the road and the bridge." Another resident Abul Kalam said, "Even though the road and bridge were badly damaged in the last flood, the local union parishad or LGED have not taken any steps so far." BGMEA delegation visits LafargeHolcim's Geocycle Project in Sunamganj Safiqul Islam, a ward member, said, "The road and the bridge were destroyed by the waves of Matian Haor during the monsoon. Now these totally unfit for movement. " Sripur (North) Union Parish Chairman Ali Haider said, "This road and the bridge have been included to Haor Protection Dam construction work. The work will start in coming Chaitra month.”

At least 10 people including policemen and journalists were injured in a clash between BNP activists and law enforcers during picketing amid the 48-hour hartal being observed by the party and like-minded opposition parties. Locals said that BNP activists brought out a procession in favour of the hartal in Puratan Bus Stand area around 11 am and vandalised some vehicles, causing panic on the streets. Also read: 11 arson attacks reported in 15 hours: Fire Service A clash broke out when police barred the BNP men from marching forward, they said. At one stage of the altercation, the picketers hurled brickbats targeting the law enforcers who retaliated with tear gas shells, they said. Rajan Kumar Das, additional superintendent of district police, said they used tear shells and opened blank fire to control the situation. Also read: Jamaat’s registration to remain cancelled: SC dismisses party’s appeal Ten people, including three policemen, were injured in the clash, he said, adding that the situation is now under their control. Local BNP leaders could not be reached over the phone for comments in this connection. Also read: RAB arrests 4, including Sramik Dal leader, from Dhaka's Jatrabari in sabotage case

Four people were killed and 20 others injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over a trifling matter at Hasnabaz village in Shantiganj upazila of Sunamganj district on Monday. The deceased were identified as Babul Mia, 58, son of Sufi Mia,  Nurul Islam, 42, Nurul Haque, 32 and Md Shahjahan, 36, son of Abdul Basit of the village. Khaled Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of Shantiganj Police Station, said a man from Hasnabaz village donated a jackfruit to a local mosque. Later, Dwin Islam and his supporters locked into an altercation with Sunu Mia and Junab Ali over an attempt to sell the jackfruit. Read: 3 killed in clash over land dispute in Rajshahi They attacked each other with sharp weapons, leaving two dead on the spot and 21 others injured. Of the injured Shahjahan died on the way to hospital. Read: 15 injured during BCL-Jubo League clash in Barishal Later, another injured victim Nurul succumbed to his injuries at Sadar Hospital in the afternoon, said Rafiqul Islam, resident medical officer of the hospital. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Police also arrested three people from the spot. Read more: At least 10 injured in clash between two groups in Kushtia

North-Eastern and adjoining upstream region of the country may experience short-term flood due to heavy rainfall in 48 hours since Sunday (July 02, 2023) morning, said a bulletin of Flood Forecasting and Warning Center of the Bangladesh Water Development Board. Some rivers of this region including Surma, Old Surma, Sarigowain, Khowai, Jadukata, Someswari, Bhogai-Kangsha may rise rapidly and cause short-term flood in the adjoining low-lying areas as there is a chance of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the region during the period, it said. The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Padma rivers are in steady state, while the Ganges River is in rising trend, which may continue in next 48 hours. Read: Flood crisis grips Kurigram:  thousands trapped, shortage of food-water intensifies All the major rivers in the North-Eastern region of the country are in rising trend. Due to the chance of heavy rainfall in the adjoining upstream, the Teesta, the Dharala and the Dudhkumar rivers in the Northern region may rise rapidly at times in the next 48 hours. Teesta river may cross danger level at Dalia point in the next 24 hours, said FFWC. Read: Flash flood inundates Haor areas in Kishoreganj, ferry services suspended Last year, the residents of Sylhet district experienced a devastating flood as 70 percent of the district went under floodwater while 10,000 dwelling houses were damaged, causing immense sufferings to thousands of people. Read more: Onrush of upstream water, rain trigger flood in Kurigram

A short-term flood may hit the low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts as major rivers in the region may swell further due to heavy rainfall  in the North-Eastern region and adjoining upstream, said Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre on Monday. The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and The Ganges-Padma rivers are maintaining a trend of rising water level at different places, which may continue in next 72 hours, it said. Due to heavy rainfall in the North-Eastern region and adjoining upstream, all major rivers of this region are rising rapidly. Also Read: River erosion washes away road in Sunamganj;  thousands  suffer “According to the weather forecasting agency, there is a possibility of heavy to very-heavy rainfall in the North-Eastern region and adjoining upstream region of the country in the next 24 hours. Due to heavy rainfall forecast in the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar basin and adjoining upstream region in the next 24 hours, these rivers may swell rapidly at times,” said the morning bulletin of FFWC. As a result, the major rivers of this region including Surma, Kushiyara, Sarigowain, Jhalukhali, Bhugai-Kangsha, Someswari and Jadukata may rise rapidly. The Teesta River at Dalia point may cross respective danger level in next 24 hours, it predicts. Incessant rains trigger fear of flood in Sylhet Meanwhile flood situation in bordering Assam state of India worsened on Sunday as incessant rains inundated new areas in the state, reports Indian media. UNB Sunamganj correspondent reports:  The Surma River was flowing 54 cm above its danger level at Chhatak point while it was flowing 75 cm below the red level at Shologhor point in Sunamganj district  Monday noon. According to the Sunamganj Water Development Board , the water level of all major river in the district are in rising trend due to heavy showers in Cherapunji of India. Cyclone Sitrang: Two villages flooded in Bagerhat as dam collapses The Shaktierkhola main road in Bishambharpur upazila was submerged due to flood. Executive Engineer of Sunamganj Water Development Board  Md Mamun Hawladar  said the Surma River was flowing 75 cm below the danger mark in Sunamganj in the past 24 hours and  the Indian authorities recorded 26mm of rainfall in Cherapunji in the past 24 hours. Cyclone Sitrang: Flood protection embankment is at risk in Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Didar Alam Mohammad Maksud Chwodhury said  the shelter centers have keep prepared to tackle the flood.

Gobindganj-Dasghar road in Sunamganj’s Chatak upazila has gone into the gorge of the Boterkhola River due to severe erosion, leading to the complete halt of vehicular movement on the road. A portion of the 500 feet concrete road collapsed into the river in the Singua area of Gobindganj Saider Gao Union last week. Read: Chandpur town protection embankment faces erosion threat again The road served as the lone means of movement of the residents in 50 villages of the upazila, and it has caused immense sufferings to them. The affected villages include Krinchnagar, Harinagar, Shyamnagar, Govindanagar, Nakhrakali, Malikandi, Dasghar, Lakshipur, Bindpur, Barachal, Khalagao, Bhugli, Banarshi, Bagin, Dakshin Para, Uttara Para, Chhaila, Shiran, Alampur, Banglabazar, Digalbak, Nowapara, Srinagar, Kahalla, Auli and others. Read more: Barguna’s Betagi town protection embankment threatened by river erosion amid ‘authorities’ apathy’

Sunamganj District Bus, Minibus and Microbus Workers Union called an indefinite strike from May 29 in the district demanding to press-home their three-point demand. All modes of transport will stay off from Sunamganj-Sylhet road during the strike, said Nurul Islam, general secretary of Sunamganj District Bus, Minibus, and Microbus Workers Union while reading out the written statement. The demands include taking steps against extortion, physically assaulting the transport workers, vandalism and withdrawal of cases against them. Also read: Indefinite bus strike in Sunamganj from May 4 Earlier, we wanted to go for the strike from May 3 but as per the request of the local administration due to SSC examination, they stepped back from their decision. But the administration did not pay any heed to their demands, forcing the transport workers union to go for the strike.  

Thousands of people are being deprived of adequate health facilities as the lone X-ray machine at 50-bed Shalla upazila health complex has been lying unused for 18 years at its corridor, thanks to the negligence of the authorities concerned. The X-ray machine was bought for the health complex at about Tk 19 lakh in 2005. But it remained unpacked and unused for the long period, wasting public money. Visiting the hospital, the UNB correspondent found the machine lying unprotected and neglected at the corridor of the old building’s south gate of the hospital. Different damaged parts of the X-ray machine found scattered around the box. Read more: Keep hospital beds ready for Nipah patients: DGHS The box is now being used for keeping waste bins. Talking the correspondent, some patients said they face huge trouble as there is no hospital in the upazila that provides X-ray service. They said they have to go Ajmiriganj of Habiganj or Derai in Sunamganj, both almost 20 kilometers off Shalla, or other district and divisional hospitals if any X-ray is needed, no matter how critical the patient’s condition is. During monsoon, they have to depend on boats for carrying patients. Read more: Number of arsenic patients decreased in country: Health Minister After the procurement of the X-ray machine in 2005 at the health complex, locals hoped that this would bring an end to their sufferings. But their expectation has not been fulfilled even after 18years. Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Shashanka Ghosh said that a team has visited the hospital and examined the machine and found one if its three lines damaged. The service will be started as soon as possible after fixing the problem, he added. Md. Ahmed Hossain, Civil Surgeon of Sunamganj district, said, “An engineer from Dhaka came and examined the machine. There is a little problem that needs to be fixed. Hope the X-ray service will start soon.” Read More: People in prisons have rights to health care: HC observes.