The overall flood situation in Sylhet and Sunamganj is improving as water in major rivers of the region is receding. However, the flood-hit people have to wait three to four more days to get back to the previous condition and have to remain marooned during this period.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said that it has already taken an initiative to stop such horrific flash flood in Sylhet in the future.
According to the Flood Forecasting & Warning Centre (FFWC) of BWDB, the flood situation at some places of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts may improve, while it may slightly deteriorate at some low-lying places of Netrokona district in the north-eastern region.
SM Shahidul Islam, additional chief engineer of Sylhet WDB, said that the floodwater in Sylhet region is decreasing. There is no possibility of worsening the flood situation in the region further. But the flood-hit people will have to remain marooned for four more days.
He, however, said that it is unfortunate that the Sylhet region is experiencing a biggest flooding. “We are taking initiative so that such flooding can be prevented in Sylhet city and other parts of the region in future,” he added.
Although the flood situation is improving, the flood-hit people in Sylhet city and other parts of the district are facing suffering for crisis of gas, power, dry food and safe drinking water.
Water-borne diseases including diarrhoea have broken out in Sylhet. Many families of Sylhet city have already left the city for the village home.
Md Mostafizur Rahman, executive engineer of Roads and Highways Department in Sylhet, said that about 65 kilometres of 10 main inter-districts roads were inundated. Vehicular movement on five roads remained suspended. The flood situation is improving and the vehicular movement will resume soon, he added.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sylhet Md Mojibur Rahman said that the distict administration is providing all kinds of assistance to the flood-hit people. Relief materials have been distributed among the flood victims, he added.
Although the water level in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers and some other rivers flowing over Sylhet is now dropping gradually, the water level in the two major rivers and some other rivers is still above the danger level.
Sylhet region is experiencing the worst flooding in a decade and a half following heavy rains and the onrush of hilly water from the upstream. At least 20 lakh people have been directly and indirectly affected by the flood situation since May 12.
The flash hit 13 upazilas in Sylhet, including the Sylhet city. The upazilas include Kanaighat, Jointiapur, Gowainghat, Companiganj, Zakiganj, Sylhet Sadar, Dakshin Surma, Fenchuganj and Beanibazar. Floodwaters submerged most parts of the upazilas. Many areas in Sylhet city went into under floodwater and are still under floodwater.
According to the district administration, 85 unions in 13 upazilas of Sylhet have been flooded and 326 shelter centres have been opened.
The flash flood damaged homes in several parts of district. It has also damaged the transport system in many areas, forcing the authorities concerned to close the educational institutions.
Bangladesh faces frequent flood due to the overflowing river bodies. The flash flood hit the Sylhet region and it deteriorated sharply due to overflow of rivers in the region.
Water experts and WDB officials said that navigability has decreased in the rivers Surma and Kushiyara and other rivers that flow over Sylhet.
A water expert said that the navigability of rivers in Sylhet decreases by half a metre every year due to the inflow of silt from India.
