Incessant downpour left different neighbourhoods of Sylhet city submerged on Wednesday — Focus Bangla The ongoing devastating floods have left nearly 2.0 million people marooned in the eastern region of the country while relentless rain threatens to worsen the situation.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast more rainfall in the next 72 hours, raising concerns of further inundation.
The affected districts are Sylhet, Sunamganj, and Moulvibazar where continuous downpours have submerged numerous villages and towns, forcing thousands to seek refuge in flood shelters as the crisis deepens.
The flooding has affected some 13 upazilas in Sylhet, impacting over 0.85 million residents. In Sunamganj, 0.75 million people face similar woes.
Despite a slight receding in major rivers, water levels remain perilously high, according to the Bangladesh Water Development Board and Department of Disaster Management and Relief.
In Sylhet's Kanaighat point, the Surma River was flowing 91 cm above the danger level; it flows 37 cm above the danger mark in Sylhet city and 40 cm in Sunamganj town.
The Kushiyara River continues to exceed danger levels at multiple points, posing significant threats to the area.
In Moulvibazar, continuous rain has left 0. 4 million residents stranded in 432 villages.
To accommodate the displaced residents, 98 shelters have been opened by the district administration.
Flooding has also badly affected the greater Hakaluki Haor area and low-lying regions of Srimangal and Kamalganj upazilas.
Meanwhile, the Met Office forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall (up to more than 89 mm) in Sylhet division over the next three days.
Meteorologists have also cautioned that heavy rainfall may increase the risk of landslides in hilly areas, further complicating flood response efforts.
Despite a slight reduction in water levels, the Deputy Commissioner of Sunamganj, Mohammad Rashed Iqbal Chowdhury, expressed concern, saying: "The rain forecast doesn't bear good news. We are monitoring the situation round the clock."
In Sylhet, Bangladesh Army members have been deployed to protect critical infrastructure, including the Boraikandi power substation.
Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russel Hasan said that while the situation isn't so critical yet, the army remains on standby.
Officials across the affected districts have urged residents to move to shelters and take necessary precautions.
"All educational institutions have been declared as shelters," said Nasrin Chowdhury, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Moulvibazar Sadar.
Deputy Commissioner of Moulovibazar Urme Binte Salam assured that all necessary measures are in place to address the impending crisis.
"We have formed a committee to monitor the situation closely," she said.
As the floodwaters continue to rise, the residents of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, and other districts brace for further challenges in the days ahead.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) in its evening forecast on Wednesday said all the major rivers in the northeastern region of the country might rise in the next one day for which low-lying areas along the river of Netrokona district and ongoing flood situation in the Sylhet, Sunamganj districts might deteriorate further.
The Dudhkumar, Teesta, Dharala rivers in the northern region might rise which could cause a short-term flood situation in the low-lying areas of the Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur districts, said FFWC.
However, the ongoing flood situation in the Monu-Khowai river-connected low-lying areas of Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts might remain steady.
FFWC also said the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River was in a rising trend and might continuously rise for the next three days.
The Ganges-Padma basins were also in a rising trend, which might continue for the next two days.
Except for Surma, all the major rivers in the northern and eastern regions were in a rising trend, said FFWC.
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