Many areas in Sylhet region, particularly Sylhet and Sunamganj districts that had not faced such a badly-affected flooding in the last 122 years, are still flooded.
The record-breaking flood hit the region in mid-June and it is still prevailing even after over two weeks. However, the flood situation is improving.
Some people in the two districts have said that the floodwater continues to recede now, but slowly. So, the region has been experiencing flood situation for the last couple of days. “We are experiencing the flood situation for the third time this year. The latest and worst flooding is improving slowly,” said Md Lukman Uddin, chairman of No.7 Dakshin Banigram Union Parishad of Kanaighat upazila in Sylhet.
The flood situation in the two districts had turned more critical, inundating thousands of villages and areas in the two districts, including the Sylhet city and the Sunamganj district town. About 90 per cent area of Sunamganj district went under floodwater, while 80 per cent area of Sylhet district has been flooded.
Now the people in the northeastern region of Bangladesh have been suffering badly. A number of people lost their lives, while thousands of them have been displaced and become homeless, properties damaged and livestock have been lost in the severe flooding.
Hundreds to thousands of people in the two districts are now facing acute crisis. Many displaced people can’t return to their homes till now as houses of many people have been damaged, while homestead of many others are still under floodwater.
Against this backdrop, more than 37,000 people passing their days in shelter centres in the region.
According to the Sylhet district administration, there are now 439 shelters in Sylhet district where 37,176 people are still staying in these shelters.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sylhet Md Mujibur Rahman said that they are working for betterment of flood-hit people. He visited flood-affected areas in Kanaighat upazila on Friday.
Many other people are still staying at their relatives’ homes. “Although many people went to shelter centres, many others took shelter in their relatives’ home. Many of them, including many displaced people of our union, did not return to their homes from the relatives’ home till now,” said Md Mudassir Ahmed, a member of No. 4 Dorbost Union Parishad of Jaintiapur upazila in Sylhet.
All the 13 upazilas of Sylhet district, including five municipalities, have been affected. Almost all the upazilas in Sunamganj district have also been affected by the severe flooding.
The district administrations of Sylhet and Sunamganj have distributed relief materials among the flood-hit people. Alongside the government, many private organisations, charity platforms and individuals are continuing relief distribution among the flood victims.
Sources said that Tk 1.92 crore in cash, 1,612 tonnes of rice and 19,918 packets of dry food have been distributed among the flood-affected people in Sylhet district.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the overall flood situation is improving in Sylhet region as water of major rivers has started receding.
No rain was recorded in Sylhet from Saturday morning to evening.
The FFWC said that the water level of Surma river declined 10cm at Kanaighat point and 2cm at Sylhet point from Friday evening to Saturday noon. The water level of Kushiyara river has declined 5cm.
