Incessant rain and onrush of water from the upstream have raised fears of flooding yet again in Sylhet and other districts in the country’s northeasters region.
According to the Water Development Board (WDB), the water levels of Surma, Kushiyara, Sari, Gowain, and Dauki have been steadily rising since yesterday evening. At the Kanaighat point, the Surma River’s water surged to 30 cm above the danger level by 9 am today, marking a significant rise compared to its levels just a day prior.
But until Sunday, the water was below the danger level at this point. Besides, the water level of the Kushiyara River at Fenchuganj point is 81 cm above the danger level. Residents of Companiganj, Gowainghat and Jaintapur upazilas said the water level of the rivers is rising due to onrush of water from upstream. They said heavy rains in India’s upstream areas caused the rise in water levels.
Locals also fear that low-lying areas of Sylhet will be inundated if the rains continue in Sylhet and India’s Cherrapunji.
Akbul Mia, a trader at Jaflong Bazar in Gowainghat, referred to the noticeable increase in water levels at the Dauki River, saying, “Yesterday, the water level was quite low, but today, water is rushing in from upstream at a swift pace.”
Shah Mohammad Sajib Hossain, assistant meteorologist at the Sylhet Met Office, confirmed the intensity of rainfall in the area, noting that Sylhet recorded 39.6 mm of rain over 24 hours, with an additional 65 mm from 6 am to 9 am today. Cherrapunji in India also witnessed heavy rainfall, receiving 313 mm within the same time.
Water level in 84 rivers rises, 21 falls: FFWC
Water levels at 84 river stations monitored by Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) have marked rise while 21 stations recorded fall.
Among the 110 monitored river stations, water levels at four stations have remained steady while water at six stations are flowing above the danger level, a bulletin issued by the FFWC said here today.
The Teesta river at Kaunia station is flowing at 5cm above the danger level while the Surma at Kanaighat area, Sunamganj, the Kushiyara at Markuli, the Jadukata at Lorergar and the Someshwari at Kalmakanda 30cm, 03cm, 13cm, 96 cm, and 14cm are flowing above the danger level respectively.
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna rivers are in rising trend, which may continue in next 72 hours, the FFWC bulletin said adding the Ganges-Padma rivers are in steady state, which may continue in the next 24 hours.
The major rivers in the North-eastern region of the country are in rising trend except Kushiyara.
According to the information from meteorological organizations, in the next 48 hours, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in the North, North-eastern and adjoining upstream parts of the country.
As a result, the water level of the rivers in North and Northeastern regions may rise rapidly in particular time.
In the next 48 hours, water level of the Teesta, Dharla, Dudhkumar rivers in the Northern region of the country may rise and probably exceed the danger level which may create flood situation in low-lying areas of this region.
In the next 72 hours, water level of the Brahmaputra may rise and probably exceed the danger level at particular points.
In the next 24 hours, flood situation in the low-lying areas of Sylhet, Sunamganj and Netrokona districts may deteriorate somewhat.
Significant rainfall was recorded at some stations in different districts during the last 24 hours ending at 9 am today.
A total of 237 mm rainfalls were recorded in Lorergarh (Sunamganj), 160mm at Lama (Bandarban), 115mm at Netrokona, 93mm at Moheshkhola (Sunamganj), 83mm at Patuakhali, 80 mm at Brahmanbaria, 72mm at Lalakhal (Sylhey), 69 at Sylhet, 60mm at Gaibanda, 170mm at Sunamganj, 122mm at Teknaf (Cox’s Bazar), 115mm at Noakhali, 84mm at Bandarban, 81mm at Cox’s Bazar, 60mm at Sreemongal and 57mm at Ragnamati.
During the last 24 hours, significant rainfalls (mm) were recorded in some states like West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal, Tripura and Mizoram of India, the bulletin added.
