Due to torrential downpours and torrential rains coming down from the upstream of India, the flood situation has worsened in various places due to the rapid increase in the water in the rivers and streams of Sylhet. Meanwhile, hundreds of villages, including 50 villages in bordering Jokiganj, have been flooded due to dam breaks and water overflowing at various places of Surma-Kushiara river.
Late night on Thursday (May 30), Barohalgram of Barohal upazila, Naluhati village of Atgram of Kazalshah UP, Surma river dam, Chabaria, Barokhal, Rarai, Khalachra, Madhar villages of Jakiganj Sadar Union and Kushiara river dam broke and water entered the area. Even in the afternoon water was pouring in at various points.
When the water coming down from the Barak River in India reached dangerous levels in the Suram-Kushiara estuary in Jokiganj’s Amalsid, North-East Regional Additional Chief Engineer of the Water Development Board Khushi Mohan Sarkar, Executive Engineer Deepak Ranjan Das and other officials along with the local residents filled plastic bags full of sand and soil throughout the day. Water is blocked. Apart from this, work is going on to keep Jokiganj city flood free in the same manner. Residents of Jokiganj on the banks of the Kushiara are in panic due to the intense pressure of the flood.
Upazila executive officer Afsana Tasnim said that the control room has been opened in the upazila. 22 families have taken shelter in 55 shelters.
Meanwhile, Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russell Hasan visited the Jainta-Goainghat area and told Ittefaq in the evening that 100 poor people have been given cooked food in that area. Tk 50,000 in cash, 15 tons of GR rice and 200 packets of dry food have been distributed to the victims.
The Deputy Commissioner further said that the water trapped people are being shifted to shelters and safety. About 470 emergency shelters have been set up in five upazilas. Messages have been sent to higher authorities seeking urgent relief.
He said that there is more water in Jainta, Kanighat, Goainghat. However, the situation will improve if the rain subsides. The situation is under control. Instructions have been given to the concerned upazila administration.
5 upazilas affected by Sylhet flood are: Jokiganj, Jaintapur, Goaighat, Kanaighat, Companyganj. Hundreds of villages and houses in five upazilas of the district located at the foot of the Khasia-Jainta hills were flooded. Crops of 5,500 hectares of land have been lost in the district. People are in trouble with the wealth of cattle, paddy and rice. In many places people’s food and household furniture have been submerged. Public suffering has increased. Water has risen in houses, towns, roads and schools. In many places, roads are submerged and communication is cut off. Many have left their homes and moved to high places or government shelters. 5 families took shelter on a truck parked on the road near Biraimra village in Jaintapur. Many families are watertight. Hundreds of people have taken shelter in various places including Jaintupur Muktijoddha Complex, Paribahan Sramik Office. At least 90 percent of people in Jaintapur have water in their homes. On Wednesday night, when suddenly the water rose up to chest level in the house, when someone called for rescue on Facebook live, many of the people saved their lives. On Thursday afternoon, it can be seen that the water is coming down at a high speed in Rangpani area of Jaintapur.
The executive engineer of Sylhet Water Development Board said in the evening that there is severe water pressure in Kushiara in Amalsid. There the river is 2 meters above the danger level. Apart from this, the waters of the Surma, Kushiara, Sari and Goain rivers in the district are above the flood limit at various points. The water of other rivers sometimes increases and sometimes decreases.
