Surma, Kushiyara flow above danger level, flood fears loom in Sylhet
Local Met Office reports 404mm rainfall in 24hrs
Water levels in Sylhet's Surma and Kushiyara rivers have crossed the danger level due to heavy rainfall over the past three days and onrush of upstream water, triggering fears of flood in the region.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the city recorded 404.8 millimetres of rainfall in the 24 hours from Saturday morning – this season's highest so far. An additional 30mm of rainfall was recorded between 6am and 3pm today (1 June).
As of 9am today, water levels of the Surma and Kushiyara rivers had risen significantly, surpassing their danger marks, said the Bangladesh Water Development Board in its daily bulletin.
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The Surma River at the Kanaighat point was flowing 79cm above the danger mark, while the Kushiyara River at the Amalshid point in Zakiganj surged 93cm above the danger level.
This marks a dramatic shift from Saturday evening, when both rivers were flowing well below danger levels – Surma was 29cm below, and Kushiyara 187cm below.
Meanwhile, the Surma River at the Sylhet point was 49cm below the danger level last morning, and the Kushiyara River at Sheola in Beanibazar and Fenchuganj points was flowing 38cm and 27cm below the danger level respectively.
Heavy rains caused waterlogging across more than 50 areas of Sylhet city on Saturday, marking the fifth such incident in the past 20 days. Low-lying areas of Zakiganj and Kanaighat upazilas have already been submerged.
To manage the situation, Sylhet City Corporation has opened a control room. Meanwhile, the district administration has instructed all upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) to remain on alert.
"Altogether 582 shelters have been kept ready across 13 upazilas of Sylhet to respond to any possible worsening of the flood situation," said Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad.
"Necessary preparations have been made by the local administration and volunteers to evacuate people from high-risk areas to safer locations," he added.
