Sundarbans inundated by rain, tidal surge

Heavy rainfall has been occurring since Thursday morning (29 May) in the coastal areas of Mongla and the Sundarbans a a depression is crossing over the Bay of Bengal, resulting in rising water levels in the surrounding rivers, submerging the low-lying areas of the Sundarbans.

Harunur Rashid, in-charge of the Mongla Meteorological Office, said that the local cautionary signal no- 3 has been issued for the Mongla coastal region due to the depression.

Since Wednesday afternoon, continuous rainfall has been recorded in the region with 47.3 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period from Wednesday 3.00pm to Thursday 3.00pm. Water levels in nearby rivers have also increased, according to the local met office.

Azad Kabir, the acting officer at the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center in the Eastern Sundarbans, reported that the rising water in rivers adjacent to the forest caused 2.5 to 3-foot-high tidal surge,  flooding the Sundarbans. 

Wild animals, he said,  typically move to higher ground during floods, so no wildlife casualties were reported in that area.

Besides, ongoing rainfall has disrupted loading and unloading operations at Mongla Port, affecting commercial ships docked there, said Md Makruzzaman, deputy secretary (Public Relations) of Mongla Port Authority.

Meanwhile, one deer was found dead in Dublar Char, reportedly due to the tidal surge. Another deer, found floating in the tidal waters near Shelar Char, was rescued by forest guards and later released back into the forest.

Due to the new moon, high tide combined with the deep depression, the Sundarbans experienced  5 to 6-foot tidal surge till Thursday evening, which flooded large portions of the forest. 

Officials from the Sharankhola range in the Eastern Sundarbans said that some patrol stations and barracks were partially damaged by the water rushing.

Abdus Sabur, the acting forest officer at the Katka Ecotourism Center, said that the tidal surge submerged the Katka forest under 4 to 5 feet of water.

During the flood, many deer were seen seeking shelter in higher areas like the pond embankments near the forest office.

Talking to BSS, Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Eastern Sundarbans in Bagerhat, said that compared to normal tides, Thursday's high tide submerged parts of the forest under 5 to 6 feet of water. 

"The body of a deer was recovered from Dublar Char in the afternoon. Authorities believe it drowned in the tidal surge. Forest guards have been instructed to search for any more potential casualties," he added.