Sunamganj
Second phase of flash floods hits Sunamganj haor region
Upstream water running down hills following torrential rain in Meghalaya and Cherrapunji of India triggered a second phase of flash floods to hit Sunamganj on Sunday, overflowing the extended Gurmar Haor in Tahirpur upazila.
The flooding has risked some 2,000 hectares of crops that are close to maturing for harvest. Farmers have been considering bringing forward their harvest since the first phase of flash floods.
Khasrul Alam, a farmer from Golabari village, said from Saturday night water level in the haor increased and broke the old permanent dams at the edges.
“If the water continues to enter croplands throughout the day, crops will get damaged. If the water pressure declines in the meantime our crops will be saved,” he added.
Following the instruction from the administration, farmers in the haor region were seen rushing to cut half ripened crops as Matian Haor, Shonir Haor, Mohalia Haor, Somsar Haor again faced the risk of being flooded.
Also read: Irregularities in maintenance of haor dams irk Agriculture Minister
In the last 24 hours, 13 mm rainfall was recorded in Sunamganj as upstream mountain flooding continued to raise water level in rivers and haors in the region.
According to the Water Development Board (WDB), at 12pm on Sunday water level in the Surma River was recorded at 5.87 cm, having risen 80 cm in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, the water level in Jadukata River increased 71 cm and in the Patlai River by 43 cm.
On March 30, Sunamganj haor region was hit by the first phase of flash floods which inundated at least 5,000 hectares of land causing Tk 100 crores worth of losses to farmers.
Karuna Sindhu Chowdhury, Chairman of Tahirpur upazila parishad, said they had been struggling to save crops of Gurmar Haor for the last 15 days.
“With the assistance of farmers, local leaders, and WDB officers, a risky dam in the Bagmara area was reformed but the second phase of the flood has already overflowed the high edges of the haor. Usually we don’t need dams in these areas. Already locals are working to resist the water from entering,” he said.
Mujibur Rahman, a farmer from Joypur village said, “We are guarding the dams every night along with the administrative staff.”
Rayhn Kabir, Tahirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) said, ”The dams are not broken but damaged and are not in a very good condition as water pressure keeps increasing. The dams in the Tanguar haor area are at most risk as any of them can collapse at any moment.”
Also read: Flash floods damage crops worth Tk 100 crore in Sunamganj haors
Iqbal Al Azad, Jamalganj UP Chairman said,”We have instructed farmers to harvest 80% ripe crops to reduce their losses along with protecting the dams.”
“Rainfall is likely to decline both upstream and downstream from Sunday”, said Md Jahangir Hossain, Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner quoting the Met Office.
“The dams made of earth have weakened after handling water pressure for the last 15 days. But if we can hold on for a day or two more by working on the damages the danger will have passed as upstream rains are the main reason for flooding here,” he added.
According to the district Agricultural Extension Office, this year Boro paddy has been cultivated on 222,805 hectares of land in Sunamganj aiming at a production of 14 lakh metric tonnes.
So far, harvesting has been completed on just 30,530 hectares of land - around 14 percent of the area cultivated.
According to WDB, 536 -km crop protection dams in 12 upazilas were to be established and reformed at 12 upazilas in Sunamganj, under 727 projects spending Tk 122 crore.
Nor’wester lashes Sunamganj
A nor’wester wrought havoc in Sunamganj district on Friday night, damaging several houses and agricultural fields.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the nor'wester that lashed the district around 10pm.
The impact of the storm was severely felt in Uttar Borodol and Sadar unions of the district's Tahirpur upazila, officials said on Saturday.
Also read: Nor’wester kills one, injures 7 in Chuadanga
Several trees were uprooted and tin sheds of many houses in the affected areas were carried aloft in the whirlwind that lasted for half an hour, according to the officials.
Md. Masuk Mia, chairman of Uttar Borodol Union Parishad, said that the nor’wester damaged 80-90 houses in the union.
Mohammad Golam Morshed, Tahirpur upazila director of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, said that "efforts are on to restore power supply in the upazila as many electric poles have been damaged in the nor’wester".
Also read: Nor'wester coming, likely to hit five divisions
Nor’wester, lightning strike kills 5 in Sunamganj
Five people, including a woman and her two children, were killed during a Nor'wester storm in Sunamganj early Thursday.
The deceased were identified as Moushumi Begum, 35, her daughter Mahima Begum, 4, and her one-year-old son Hossain Ahmed, of Jagannathpur upazila; Mukul Khan, 50, and his son Masud Khan, 7, of Shalla upazila.
Also read: Government to build lightning resistant shelters in 23 districts including Haor areas
In Jagannathpur, Moushumi and her two children were crushed under two uprooted trees as the trees fell on their house around 5am due to the storm.
Later, they were rushed to Upazila Health Complex where the doctor declared the trio dead, said Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Jagannathpur police station.
The bodies were sent to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, he added.
Also read: 2,800 lost lives in lightning strikes in 10 years: Dr Enamur
Meanwhile, in Shalla upazila, a streak of lightning struck Mukul, his son Masud, Rimon, 11, and his brother-in-law's son Tanvir Hossain, 7, while they were working in a wetland in Nasirpur Village around 7am, leaving Mukul and Masud dead on spot.
Rimon and Tanvir were sent to Ajmiriganj Upazila Health Complex in Habiganj for treatment, said Aminul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Shalla police station.
Sunamganj flood-hit farmers to get incentives: Agriculture Minister
The government will take steps to provide incentives to the flood-hit farmers in haor areas of Sunamganj, said Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Tuesday.
Intensive will be given to the affected farmers as Boro is the only crop in haor areas, he said adding the government will stand by the farmers to help them recoup losses.
The agriculture minister revealed this information while talking to reporters after attending a meeting of the National Coordinating and Advisory Committee on Fertilizers at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Also read: Sunamganj farmers apprehend missing Boro harvest
Replying to a question Razzaque said, “ 300 millimeters rains were recorded in India in the two days and there is a possibility of more rains on April 14 and 15. We have no control on nature. But we are taking measures to tackle any kind of disaster.”
Every year, two crore tonnes of boro paddy are produced across the country and 12 lakh tonnes are produced in the haor areas which may get damaged and this is a matter of big concern for Bangladesh, he said.
State minister talks tough after Sunamganj flash floods damage crops on 5,000 hectares of land
The government has ordered an investigation into the recent flash floods caused by breached protection embankments in Sunamganj, said State Minister for Water Resources Zahid Faruk on Monday, warning action for negligence.
Already a six-member committee, headed by an additional secretary, has been formed to investigate the allegation, he said adding, it will submit the report within ten days.
Talking to reporters at the Secretariat he blamed early rainfall in the first week of this month for the sudden floods.
The recent flash floods in Sunamganj district damaged crops on nearly 5,000 hectares of land, said State Minister for Water Resources Zahid Faruk on Monday.
From April 1 to April 6 the local met office recorded 1209 mm rainfall, he said.
Also read: Thakurgaon farmers fear crops loss after hailstorm
The government, he said, has taken preparation to help farmers cope with the floods, he said.
Asked about alleged delays in repairing the breached dams Faruk said the work could not be completed due to stagnant water.
“We started repair work in December and finished it in February. Up to 90% work has been done,” he said.
The state minister said the government has taken projects worth Tk 494 crore. Another project of river dredging worth Tk 1547 crore is underway in the district.
“If the projects are approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) then we can start work in November. We have identified the problems and we hope there will be no problem next year,” he said.
The leave of staff and employees of the ministry has been cancelled, he added.
Also read: Flash floods damage crops worth Tk 100 crore in Sunamganj haors
Besides, the government is thinking of waiving the loan of affected farmers in the district, he said.
In 2017, the government suspended eight engineers, who were found negligent of duty, he said.
The Anti-Corruption Commission will take action following rules against the eight suspended engineers, he added.
Talking about the irregularities brought against the Water Development Board, the minister said “We will try our best to bring it to a tolerable level.”
AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, deputy water resources minister, who was present at the press briefing, said action will be taken against those found involved in corruption in haor areas.
“During a recent visit to Sunamganj, I have seen that breaches occurred in three places of 535-km embankments We managed to repair one spot but in another spot the depth of water is 50-60 meter while the repair work of another spot is going on,” said Shamim.
Flash floods triggered by onrush of water from the upstream inundated Boro crops on 5,000 hectares of land in 14 haors in Sunamganj, causing loss of Tk 100 crore, according to local agriculture office.
According to local DAE office, Boro paddy has been cultivated on 2.22 lakh hectares of land in the district this year and the production target has been set at 13.50 lakh MTs.
Sunamganj man dies allegedly in police custody, protesters block road
Local people blocked the Sunamganj-Sylhet highway on Monday with the body of a 40-year-old man, who died allegedly in police custody.
The protest took place around 12 pm in the Paglabazar area of Sunamganj-Sylhet road in Shantiganj upazila of the district causing a long tailback on the highway for three hours.
Read:Himangshu’s death in ‘police custody’: 3-member probe body formed
The deceased was identified as Ujir Mia, 40, of Shatru Mardan village of the upazilla, who was arrested by Santiganj Police on February 9 in a theft case and was produced before the court on the following day.
However, Ujir Mia was granted bail on February 11 and was admitted to Kaitak Hospital of Chhatak after falling sick, said Kazi Muktadir Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Saantiganj Police Station.
He died on Monday while undergoing treatment at the hospital.
"The doctor can explain the cause of Ujir's death," said the OC.
However, Ujir's brother Dalim Mia said his brother was tortured at the police station after being arrested.
Following the death, outraged locals blocked the highway with the body of Ujir Mia, demanding justice allegedly for the torture in police custody.
Read: Held for killing wife, man dies in police custody
On information, Sunamganj Additional Superintendent of Police Abu Saeed and Additional District Magistrate Anwar-ul-Halim rushed to the spot and assured the protesters that action will be taken against those responsible, subject to investigation.
Following the assurance from the officials, the locals lifted the blockade.
3 remanded for slicing woman’s body after rape inside pharmacy in Sunamganj
A Sunamganj court on Sunday placed the accused pharmacy owner and two others on eight-day remand each for gang raping a woman, killing her and later slicing her body into pieces to hide their crime.
Judicial Magistrate Abdur Rahim passed the order after Inspector (CID) Liton Dewan, investigation officer in the case produced the accused before court and sought 10-days in remand for each.
After the court granted the remand, accused pharmacy owner Jitesh Chandra Gop,30, Anjit Chandra Gop,38, and Ashit Gop, 36 were taken under Criminal Investigation Department’s custody, said Sunamganj court Inspector Md Badrul Alam Talukdar.
Also read: Sunamganj pharmacy owner, 2 others sliced woman’s body after rape: CID
On February 17, six body parts of Shahnaz Parvin Jyotsna,35, wife of an expatriate, were recovered from the pharmacy named Ovi Medical Hall in Jagannathpur municipality area in Sunamganj.
The same day, a case was filed at Jagannathpur police station against Jitesh following a complaint lodged by Shahnaz’s brother Helal Ahmed.
On February 18, CID arrested the three accused from Dhaka and Sunamganj.
During primary interrogation, the arrestees confessed to killing Shahnaz after rape and then cutting her body into pieces to hide their crime, said CID.
Also read: Gang rape of Thakurgaon school girl: 2 arrested
According to the accused, Shahnaz, mother of three children, had a good relationship with Jitesh as she used to buy most of her family’s medicines from his pharmacy.
On Wednesday afternoon, Shahnaz went to Jitesh’s pharmacy as he assured her of suggesting some medicines for her confidential medical issues.
He kept her waiting in the room behind the shop and later with the help of two more shop owners- Anjit and Ashit -made her unconscious by swallowing sleeping pills.
They raped her in the late hours of night and strangled her to death when Shahnaz said she will inform her family about the incident.
Later they cut her body into six pieces with a sharp knife and packed those in boxes.
They were planning to dump the boxes into a pond, said CID.
Sunamganj pharmacy owner, 2 others sliced woman’s body after rape: CID
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police have arrested three people for their suspected involvement in slicing the body of a woman after raping her in a Sunamganj pharmacy.
The arrestees are pharmacy owner Jitesh Chandra Gop,30, Anjit Chandra Gop,38, and Ashit Gop, 36.
Conducting a drive, Jitesh was arrested on Friday from Nurer Chala area under Bhatara police station in the capital while Anjit and Ashit were arrested from Jagannathpur municipality area in Sunamganj, said CID on Saturday at a press briefing at its Malibagh office.
On Thursday, six body parts of Shahnaz Parvin Jyotsna,35, wife of an expatriate, were recovered from the pharmacy named Ovi Medical Hall in Jagannathpur municipality area in Sunamganj.
The same day, a case was filed at Jagannathpur police station against Jitesh following a complaint lodged by Shahnaz’s brother Helal Ahmed.
Also read: Aunt, niece raped in Ctg, 2 held
During primary interrogation, the arrestees confessed to killing Shahnaz after rape and then cutting her body into pieces to hide their crime, said CID.
According to the accused, Shahnaz, mother of three children, had a good relationship with Jitesh as she used to buy most of her family’s medicines from his pharmacy .
On Wednesday afternoon Shahnaz went to Jitesh’s pharmacy as he assured her of suggesting some medicines for her secret medical issues.
He kept her waiting in the room behind the shop and later with the help of two more shop owners- Anjit and Ashit -made her unconscious by swallowing sleeping pills.
They raped her in the late hours of night and strangled her to death when Shahnaz said she will inform her family about the incident.
Also read: Gang rape of Thakurgaon school girl: 2 arrested
Later they cut her body into six pieces with a sharp knife and packed those in boxes.
They were planning to dump the boxes into a pond, said CID.
1 killed as car crashes in canal in Sunamganj
One person was killed and seven others injured as a car lost control and crashed into a roadside canal from Sylhet-Sunamganj highway in Shantiganj upazila of Sunamganj.
The deceased was identified as Sujan Mia, 28, driver of the car.
The accident occurred in front of Panchagram point in Purba Pagla Union of the upazila on Tuesday afternoon. The Sunamganj-bound car lost control and fell into the canal, according to locals.
READ: Schoolboy killed in Dinajpur road crash
Police sources said, locals rescued the injured as they heard screaming after the accident. The driver died at the spot.
Seven injured passengers were taken to Sylhet’s Osmani Medical College Hospital.
READ: Dinajpur road crash leaves 2 dead
SI Abu Bakar of Shantiganj Police Station, who visited the spot, said that the car lost control and fell into the canal leaving the driver dead on the spot.
UNO suspended in Sunamganj for corruption
The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Sunaganj’s Shalla has been suspended on charges of corruption.
The district administration on Thursday issued UNO Md. Al Muktadir Hossain’s suspension order after an investigation regarding corruption in the government construction projects, including Haor dams, rehabilitation houses, Upazila Parishad shops and lease of canals.
READ: Suspended Dewanganj mayor Shahnewaz held with drugs from Dhaka hotel
Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jahangir Hossain said that UNO Al Muktadir of Shalla has been suspended. Dirai Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Arup Ratan Singh has been given additional responsibility as the UNO of Shalla. He also said that a three-member inquiry committee investigated the allegations that chairmen brought against the UNO and found his involvement.
READ: Assaulting education officer: Dewanganj municipality mayor suspended
On Monday, the chairmen of four unions of Shalla Upazila lodged a written complaint to Sunamganj DC alleging irregularities in the PIC formation list for Haor saving dam project.