Severe flooding disrupts Eid celebrations in Sylhet

Heavy rain has caused severe waterlogging in Sylhet city, submerging most urban areas and creating a dire situation for residents on Eid morning. 

With homes and roads underwater, residents are concerned about how they will perform the Qurbani rituals.

The situation has further deteriorated in areas outside the city due to flash floods, with floodwaters entering Sunamganj town.

Heavy rain began in Sylhet yesterday (16 June) night and continued through today (17 June) morning, resulting in over half of Sylhet city being submerged. In some areas, water is knee-deep, while in others, it is waist-deep.

Many mosques and Eidgahs are submerged, causing concerns about holding Eid prayers.

Santanu Dutta Santu, the councilor of Ward No 13 of Sylhet City Corporation said, "By Sunday night, almost all areas in my ward, including Taltala, Machu Dighir Par, Jamtala, Monipuri Rajbari, Ramer Dighir Par, Khulia Para, and Topkhana, were submerged."

Fazlur Rahman Noman, a resident of the Baluchar said, "Water has entered our house, and the roads are also flooded. We are unsure how to perform Qurbani in this situation. Everyone in the area is worried."

Sunamganj streets under knee-deep water

Heavy rainfall and swelling hill torrents have caused the Surma River to overflow, leading to widespread flooding on Eid-ul-Adha day in Sunamganj, reports UNB.

Many streets are submerged under knee-deep water, causing significant distress to residents as water has entered homes and shops. Despite the adverse weather, Eid prayers were performed at various Eidgahs in the city amid the rain.

The Surma River is currently flowing 17 cm above the danger level at Shologhor point, inundating low-lying areas. 

Various parts of the city, including Nutanpara, Bandhanpara, Upatyaka, Hasan Nagar, Arpin Nagar, Ukilpara, DS Road, Shologhor, and Shantibagh, are currently waterlogged. Shop owners are seen relocating their goods to avoid damage, as many items have already been soaked. Water from residential neighborhoods is draining into the Jhauer Haor.

Mamun Howlader, executive engineer of the Sunamganj Water Development Board (WDB), indicated that rainfall could continue for 24 to 48 hours, potentially causing short-term minor flooding but assured that it would not be as severe as in 2022.

Sajib Ahmed, a meteorologist at the Sylhet Meteorological Office, forecasted moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of the Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions over the next five days, including Eid day.

District Commissioner Mohammad Rashed Iqbal Chowdhury assured that the administration is prepared to tackle the situation. 

"Shelters are ready, and there are ample stocks of cash, rice, and dry food. Discussions have been held with traders, and boats along with boatmen are prepared for rescue operations," he added.