Habiganj flood: More villages, roads inundated

The flood situation in Habiganj has worsened due to incessant rains, with several villages in Nabiganj, Madhabpur, Lakhai, and Ajmiriganj upazilas now inundated. 

The rising water level of the Kushiyara River is causing new areas in Nabiganj upazila to flood as well.

The Sunamganj-Jagannathpur-Aushkandi regional highway and ten pucca roads have been submerged in floodwaters. This has completely stopped traffic movement.

Moreover, a pucca road in Kasba village has broken, allowing water to rapidly enter different villages.

More than 50,000 people are trapped due to the floodwater, with over 300 families seeking refuge in nine shelters. 

Habiganj Deputy Commissioner Zilufa Sultana visited the Inatganj High School shelter centre, Inatganj Government Primary School shelter centre and flood control embankment at Dighalbak union in Nabiganj upazila on Thursday afternoon.

Rafiq Mia, who took shelter at Inatganj High School, said his house was washed away by floodwaters. “I have moved to the shelter with my family, but have not received any help yet.”

Sohena Begum, who came to the shelter, said there was no food from morning to noon. “I am living in a helpless situation.”

The Chevron-operated Bibiyana Gas Field in Inatganj and the Bibiyana 400MW power plant, located along the Kushiyara River, are also at risk due to the rising floodwaters. 

Currently, the water level is about five feet below the Bibiyana gas and power plant. 

However, locals fear that the rapidly rising water may soon inundate the gas field.

Sheikh Jahidur Rahman, communication manager of Corporate Affairs of Chevron Bangladesh, said necessary measures have been taken so that the flood water does not enter the Bibiyana gas field. “We have all kinds of preparations. There is no risk of water entering the field.”

Nabiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Anupam Das Anup said people from the flood-hit areas have been urged to come to the shelter centres. “Fourteen government flood shelters are open.”

Despite the Surma and Kusiyara rivers having surpassed the danger mark, the floodwaters in Sylhet are now receding, according to a bulletin from the Sylhet district administration.

The bulletin noted that there has been no rain since Thursday afternoon.

The flooding has affected a total of 989,865 people, with 60,000 from the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) area. 

Currently, 21,786 individuals have sought refuge in 405 shelters across both SCC and 13 other upazillas. 

In total, 1,501 villages in the district have been impacted by the flood.