Floods in Sirajganj, Sunamganj leave 200,000 stranded

Continuous rainfall and onrush of water from the upstream have raised the Jamuna River's water level at Sirajganj Point, stranding over 100,000 people, report agencies.
The water level rose by 8 cm in the past 24 hours to 6 am on Friday and was flowing 45 cm above the danger mark. At Kazipur Point, the water flowed 25 cm above the danger mark, according to the Water Development Board.
Meanwhile, the third wave of floods this monsoon has left over 0.1 million people stranded in their homes in Sunamganj, officials and relief workers said on Friday.
The northeastern district of Bangladesh has been grappling with flooding due to continuous rainfall and the onrush of water from the upstream hills in India.
In another development, the World Food Programme (WFP) has activated anticipatory action measures as water levels in the Jamuna River approach critical levels.
This proactive response aims to mitigate the impact of the impending floods on vulnerable communities, according to a WFP press release on Friday. This is the largest anticipatory action support provided by WFP so far.
A report from Sirajganj adds that with the rising water levels, people in the char and low-lying areas are facing severe shortages of shelter, sanitation, clean water, and food.
Many are taking refuge on higher ground and in the homes of others as water enters their residences.
The plight of the flood-affected people seems endless. Grazing land for livestock has been submerged, leading to a crisis in animal feed and housing.
The government's relief materials are reportedly insufficient compared to the demand, according to those affected.
Crops in the char and low-lying areas have also been flooded. Educational activities have been halted as schools have been inundated. Riverbank erosion is continuing unabated in the Kazipur, Chauhali, and Shahjadpur Upazilas.
At least 103,594 people from 23,306 families in 34 unions of five Upazilas in the district have been stranded by the floodwaters, according to Md Akhtaruzzaman, the district's relief and rehabilitation officer.
Relief efforts have so far included the distribution of 133 tonnes of rice, Tk 500,000 in cash, and 300 packets of dry food. An additional stock of 1,167 tonnes of rice, Tk 2 million, and 700 packets of dry food is still available, he added.
The current flooding has resulted in the deaths of four people in boat capsizes and four others from drowning in the district's Sadar, Shahjadpur, and Chauhali Upazilas, said Akhtaruzzaman.
Sirajganj WDB Executive Engineer Md Mahabubur Rahman said the water level of the Jamuna River might rise slightly on Friday but is expected to decrease from Saturday.
There is no risk of more flooding in the region this month, he added.
Meanwhile, a report from Sunamganj adds that floods hit the district first on June 16. The second round of flooding began on July 1, and now the water levels in all the rivers of the district have risen abnormally, causing the third wave of flooding.
The main river in Sunamganj, the Surma, has already crossed the danger level. As a result, more than 100,000 people in the district are now waterlogged.
Due to the heavy downpour and the surge of water, the Surma River at the Solghar Point in the municipal town of Sunamganj rose 30 cm above the danger level at noon.
The Water Development Board of Sunamganj reported that as of 6 am on Friday, the Surma River at Solghar Point was flowing 30 cm above the danger level.
According to the Water Development Board, heavy rainfall in India's Cherrapunji has caused water to flow rapidly into Sunamganj through the border rivers of Dhopajan, Jadukata, and Piyain, as well as through the Khasiamar, Chela, and Patlai rivers, resulting in the Surma River crossing the danger level.
Moreover, the water level in the haors has risen, creating flood conditions in various parts of Sunamganj, leaving hundreds of thousands of people stranded.