Sylhet city paralysed by waterlogging, flood risks rising

Due to heavy rainfall, severe waterlogging has occurred in various parts of Sylhet city, causing significant disruption to public life. In response to the situation, Sylhet City Corporation has set up a special emergency control room.

Meanwhile, water levels in the Surma, Kushiyara, and other rivers in Sylhet are rising rapidly due to both rain and hill runoff, sparking fears of flooding. Roads and settlements in low-lying areas along the border have already gone underwater.

The rainfall in Sylhet has been ongoing for several days due to a depression in the Bay of Bengal. Although the depression has moved, its impact continues. From yesterday morning to this morning (31 May), 132 mm of rain was recorded over 24 hours, according to the Meteorological Department.

From Friday night, water started entering homes in many parts of the city due to heavy rain. Streets were submerged as well. As of this afternoon, more than 50 areas were reported to be waterlogged.

Local residents reported knee-deep water in areas such as Zindabazar, Keane Bridge, Ambarkhana, Bandarbazar, Tilagarh, Upashahar, Lal Dighir Par, Teroratan, Mashimpur, Taltala, Shibganj and Chararpar. Many households were inundated, causing severe suffering for the people.

To ensure rapid drainage of rainwater and monitor the situation, a control room has been set up on the second floor of the Sylhet City Corporation building. 

Meanwhile, an office order issued by the city corporation today instructed designated officers for each ward to remain present in their areas, inspect the situation directly, and take immediate action as necessary.

Additionally, every day by 5 pm, all wards have been instructed to submit progress reports on waterlogging and drainage work to SCC's ICT branch via email (1gcc1@lgd.gov.bd).

Zakir Ahmed, a politician and lawyer residing in the Chowhatta area of the city, expressed his frustration, saying, "The city floods with just a little heavy rain. Water enters houses and damages furniture. This has been going on for years."

"Thousands of crores of taka have been spent on various projects in the name of eliminating waterlogging. But more looting than actual work has taken place. We are suffering due to their looting and unplanned actions," he added.

Flood risks on the rise

Alongside Sylhet, heavy rainfall is also occurring upstream in India's Assam and Meghalaya states. Water from those areas is also flowing down into Sylhet. Parts of low-lying areas in Sylhet have already gone underwater. The Surma and Kushiyara rivers are swelling, though water levels have not yet crossed the danger mark.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre has been issuing flood alerts for Sylhet over the past few days.

According to the Sylhet office of the Water Development Board, 410 mm of rain was recorded in Cherrapunji and Meghalaya in India in the 24 hours starting from Friday 8 am.

Rainwater from Assam and Meghalaya quickly flows into Sylhet via rivers like Surma, Kushiyara, Sari, Sarigowain, and Lovachhara.

Dipak Ranjan Das, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board in Sylhet, said that the water levels of all rivers, including the Surma and Kushiyara, are rising. The Sari-Gowain and Dhalai rivers are nearly at the danger mark.

According to local residents, water levels are rising rapidly in the low-lying areas of Goainghat, Companiganj, Jaintapur, Zakiganj, and Kanaighat upazilas. The situation could worsen if the rain continues. 

Tourist destinations like Jaflong and Bichanakandi in Goainghat and Sadapathor in Companiganj have been submerged. Locals have advised tourists to avoid travelling to these places for now.

The district administration stated that although water levels have risen, no one has yet been reported as marooned. The local administration is monitoring the situation and has advised people to remain alert. Adequate stockpiles of dry food have been prepared.

Goainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ratan Kumar Adhikari said that a low section of the Goainghat-Radhanagar road has gone underwater. However, the water is expected to recede once the rain subsides. 

Although no areas have yet been completely flooded, preparations have been made to deal with the situation. As rainfall and hill runoff continue, water levels are rising in some places.

Companiganj UNO Azizunnahar said that water levels have slightly decreased compared to yesterday. Though there is water in the lowlands, no villages or areas have been completely flooded. A total of 35 shelters have been kept ready in the upazila. However, so far, no one has needed to take shelter.