Water levels of Surma, Kushiyara again above danger level
Incessant rain, swelling hill torrents cause flooding in Dowarabazar
All the major rivers in the country’s northeastern region rising and they are likely to further swell.
Meanwhile, water levels of rivers in Sylhet have started rising again due to continuous rainfall and upstream floods.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has reported that all major rivers in the northeastern region of the country are experiencing a rising trend, which may continue.
Meanwhile, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges-Padma rivers remain steady, a trend likely to persist over 24 hours, according to the FFWC.
The Met Office has forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the northern, northeastern, and adjoining upstream regions of the country over 24-72 hours.
As a consequence, the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers in the northern region, along with several rivers in the northeastern region, may experience rapid rises over the next 72 hours.
Water levels of Surma, Kushiyara again above danger level
The Surma River at Kanaighat crossed the danger level at 9:00 am on Saturday, while the Kushiyara at Fenchuganj has been flowing above the danger level since Friday.Water levels in all Sylhet rivers are increasing, causing fear of another flood among residents in low-lying areas.
The Met Office in Sylhet recorded 202 mm of rainfall from 6:00 am on Friday to 6:00 am on Saturday, and 45 mm from 6:00 am to 9:00 am on Saturday. Additionally, upstream in India’s Cherrapunji, 513 mm of rainfall was recorded in the last 24 hours, contributing to Sylhet's rising river levels.
According to the Water Development Board, at 6:00 am on Saturday, the water level of the Surma River at Kanaighat was 12.56 cm. By 9:00 am, it had risen to 13.05 cm. The danger level for the Surma at this point is 12.75 cm.
Since Friday, the Kushiyara River at Fenchuganj has also been above the danger level. At 6:00 am on Saturday, it was 49 cm above the danger level, increasing to 50 cm by 9:00 am. The danger level for the Kushiyara at this point is 9.45 cm.
Water levels are also rising at other points along the Surma and Kushiyara rivers, as well as in the Sari, Lova, Dawki, and Dhalai rivers.
At 9:00 am on Saturday, the water level of the Surma River at the Sylhet point was 9.95 cm. The water levels of the Kushiyara River were 13.86 cm at Amalsheed, 10.95 cm at Sheola, and 8.33 cm at Sherpur. Additionally, the Lova River was at 13.75 cm, the Sari River at 12.16 cm, the Dawki River at 10.63 cm, and the Sari-Goyain River at 9.92 cm.
Deepak Ranjan Das, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board, said that due to continued rainfall, river levels are rising again. The Surma and Kushiyara Rivers are flowing above the danger level at two points, with water levels at other points also rising.
Shah Md. Sajib Hossain, Assistant Meteorologist at the Sylhet Weather Office, confirmed the rainfall data and noted that more rainfall is expected in Sylhet.
Incessant rains, swelling hill torrents cause flooding in Dowarabazar
UNB from Sunamganj reports: Continuous rainfall and torrents from the hills have caused severe flooding in the low-lying areas of Dowarabazar, Sunamganj, raising fears of further inundation.
Over the past three days, heavy rainfall and water from upstream Meghalaya have led to the rivers Surma, Chela, Chhalti, Mora Chela, Khasiamara, Moula, Kaliuri, and Dhumkhali flowing above danger levels. The overflowing Khasiamara River from across the border has breached embankments at Noapara, Idrispur, and Choukighat in the Lakshmipur union, resulting in extensive damage to household furniture and livestock.
Seedbeds of Aman and Aush paddy, and vegetable fields have been submerged. At least 10 villages have been inundated after the Chilai River embankment collapsed at Camperghat in Boglabazar union.
The embankment breach at the Tilagao-Tengratila road in Surma union has disrupted connectivity. The Mahabbatpur Bazar-Liaquatganj Bazar road at Noapara has also suffered a breach, severing communication between the upazila headquarters and 28 villages in Lakshmipur union and five villages in Surma union, affecting hundreds of thousands of border residents.
Several establishments, including houses in Pekpara, Chowdhury Para, Maulapara, Chilaipara, and Puran Bashtala villages in Banglabazar union, were submerged as flood water entered the villages.
Lakshmipur UP Chairman Zahidul Islam told UNB that the overflow of the Khasiamara River has caused breaches at Noapara, Idrispur, and Choukighat, flooding several villages. He has informed the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) about the need for dry food and safe water.
Surma UP Chairman Harun-or-Rashid said that some houses in Surma union have been flooded due to the overflow of the Khasiamara River, and they are arranging for dry food and safe water for the affected people.
Echoing them, Boglabazar UP Chairman Mohammad Milon Khan also reported that the embankment breach near the former BGB camp at Camperghat has flooded 10 villages in Boglabazar union, causing massive damage to fish ponds and houses. He also sought assistance from the upazila administration to address the ongoing crisis immediately.
Dowarabazar Sadar union is among the most severely affected.
Mamun Hawlader, executive engineer of the Sunamganj Water Development Board, reported that the Surma River near Dowarabazar is flowing above the danger level. Additionally, strong currents from the Meghalaya hills are causing road and embankment breaches across the upazila.
