Sada Pathor closed off as heavy rainfall, upstream runoff trigger flood fears across Sylhet

The Sada Pathor tourist spot in Sylhet's Companiganj Upazila has been temporarily closed after it was submerged by upstream water amid heavy rainfall and hill torrents.

Heavy rains and an onrush of upstream water have raised concerns of flooding in Sylhet, with water already entering some low-lying areas along the border.

Companiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Robin Mia said, "Sada Pathor has been flooded due to the onrush. The current is also very strong. Therefore, the tourist spot has been temporarily closed."

Meanwhile, the Anwarpur road in Sunamganj's Tahirpur has also gone under water due to hill torrents, cutting off direct road communication between Sunamganj district and Tahirpur Upazila.

The district of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Sunamganj, Sylhet and India's Meghalaya over the next 48 hours, according to the national weather forecast.

If rainfall continues during this period, water levels in the district's rivers may rise further. The water levels in the Surma, Baulai, Rakti and other rivers have already risen.

The Surma River's water level rose by 79 centimetres in the last 24 hours.

However, the river is currently flowing at around 45 centimetres below the danger level. If heavy rainfall continues over the next two days, river water may reach close to the danger level and may even cross it at some points, according to the relevant authorities.

This could temporarily inundate low-lying areas of the district.

Sunamganj Water Development Board Executive Engineer Mamun Hawlader said river water is rising as rainfall continues in India's Cherrapunji.

He warned that short-term flooding may occur if the rain continues.

Additionally, Tahirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mehedi Hasan Manik said the current was comparatively weaker in the morning, but water levels rose as the day progressed.

"Locals are facing some difficulties in movement. However, once the hill torrents subside, the road will re-emerge and everything will return to normal," he assured.

However, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Water Development Board said a flood situation may develop in Sylhet due to the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in India's Meghalaya and Assam regions.

The forecast said the water levels of the Surma and Kushiyara rivers are rising rapidly and nearing the danger level. If the situation continues, water may cross the danger level at most points of the rivers within the next one to two days.

Water levels in the Sari, Goyain, Lovachhara and Dhalai rivers in Sylhet division are also rising in tandem with Surma and Kushiyara.

The Water Development Board has warned that water may continue to rise over the next three days, which could lead to flooding in low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said that Sylhet recorded 39.6 millimetres of rainfall in 24 hours till 6am today (21 June).

The previous 24 hours saw 142 millimetres of rainfall. At the time of filing this report, it was still raining.

Meteorologists fear that the intensity of rainfall may not decrease over the next few days.

BWDB Sylhet's Executive Engineer Deepak Ranjan Das said, "According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in India's Meghalaya hilly region. If heavy rain occurs there, the rivers in Sylhet may cross the danger level."