Flash flood leaves over 500,000 people stranded in Sylhet

Seven of 13 upazilas in Sylhet have been inundated due to the incessant rains and onrush of water from upstream, leaving more than five lakh people stranded.

"Around 5,33,202 people are marooned, and 42 unions of these upazilas have been affected," a notification signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Sheikh Russel Hasan said on Friday.

So far, 547 shelters have been prepared to accommodate the people. In the meantime, 4,802 people have already taken shelter in these places.

According to the sources, Zakiganj, Jaintiapur, Gowainghat, Companiganj and Kanaighat are the most affected upazilas.

Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Rasel said: “We are keeping an eye on the overall situation. Flood victims are being rescued and brought to shelters and relief materials are being distributed among them.”

Besides, union-based medical teams have been formed to provide health care in flood-affected areas and dry and cooked food and fresh water are being distributed, he said.

“Considering the flood situation, the number of shelters will be reduced or increased.”

Meanwhile, the flood situation has suddenly worsened in Bianibazar upazila. The swelling of the Surma and Kushiara rivers have marooned about 20,000  people in five unions of the upazila.

“Cattle farms and fish enclosures were washed away. Most areas of Alinagar, Charkhai, Dubag, Sheola and Kurarbazar union of the upazila went under water.”

Shah Mohammad Sajib Hossain, assistant meteorologist of Sylhet Meteorological Office,  said they recorded about 61mm of rain from 6am on Thursday to 6am on Friday

According to the Water Development Board, the water of Surma River is flowing 99cm above the danger level at 6am on Friday at Kanaighat Point in Sylhet while the water of Kushiara River in Zakiganj upazila is flowing 209cm above the danger line at Amalsid point. However, Sari River water is flowing below the danger level at Gowainghat Point.

Meanwhile, Sylhet District Disaster Management Committee meeting has been held to tackle the flood situation. Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Rasel Hasan visited the upazilas to monitor the situation and look for the affected people.

Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, chief executive officer of Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) said that the corporation is ready to deal with any kind of situation.

Gowainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Touhidul Islam said that 75% areas of the upazila have been inundated. “We had prepared 56 shelters in advance due to flood forecast. About 300 people have taken shelter till Friday morning,” he added.

Source: UNB