Sylhet flood: water starts receding but shelters overwhelmed
Seven lakh people in Sylhet, three lakh in Moulvibazar were affected by the flood
While floodwaters in Sylhet are slowly receding as rainfall ceases, the number of people seeking shelter has increased. Over 7,00,000 people in 13 upazilas remain affected by the third wave of flooding.
As of Wednesday, over 8,800 people have sought refuge in shelters across the district, with approximately 550 seeking shelter just the day before.
Meanwhile, around 3,00,000 people are stranded due to flooding in Moulvibazar caused by heavy rain and upstream water flow. The flood has submerged 133 educational institutions, including primary schools used as shelters.
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Although the Water Development Board noted a slight decrease in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers, both remain above danger levels at Kanighat and Fenchuganj points respectively, causing inundation in low-lying areas of the region.
"Reduced rainfall in Cherrapunji has contributed to declining water levels in Sylhet," said Dipak Ranjan Das, executive engineer of the Sylhet Water Development Board.
The Sylhet Meteorological Department reported 25 mm of rain between 6am Tuesday and 6am Wednesday, with an additional 4 mm recorded from 6am to 4pm on Wednesday.
Sylhet Met Office Assistant meteorologist Shah Md Sajib Hossain warned of potential heavy rainfall over the next two days.
Gowainghat Upazila is the most severely affected area. Despite receding waters, several roads remain closed to traffic as they are still submerged.
Upazila Project Implementation Officer Shirshendu Purkayastha reported that 98 people from Gowainghat have sought shelter in the third phase of the flood.
"Although water levels subsided Wednesday, the flooding had intensified on Monday and Tuesday and forced many to evacuate to shelters as water entered residential areas," said Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russel Hasan.
He further said that proactive measures had been taken as upazila nirbahi officers had prepared for this third wave of floods in advance.
He assured the readiness of relief centres and affirmed the government's cautious approach to managing the situation.
Sylhet previously experienced severe flooding in late May, followed by a second wave in mid-June, and is now contending with a third wave that began on 1 July, underscoring ongoing challenges posed by heavy rains and hill torrents from upstream areas.
Meanwhile, floodwaters have submerged roads, houses, educational institutions, and even the Kulaura upazila parishad in Moulvibazar. Rivers like the Manu, Juri, and Dhalai are flowing above danger levels, exacerbating the crisis.
Approximately 450 people have taken shelter in 33 centres in Barlekha upazila. The situation remains dire as residents wait for floodwaters to recede and for aid to arrive.
Despite the government's efforts, residents in shelters face uncertainty about when they can return home.
