Relentless rain and a surge of water from upstream have led to flooding in four upazilas in Sylhet. By noon on Thursday, water levels had increased rapidly, prompting the administration, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and political workers to rescue stranded residents.
The affected upazilas—Jaintapur, Gowainghat, Kanaighat, and Companiganj—are experiencing significant flooding, with river water surpassing danger levels at several points. Erosion has occurred in four spots within the Sari-Goyain Wapda embankment project in Jaintapur, inundating homes in Jaintapur Sadar upazila. The Surma River is also nearing the danger mark.
Sylhet Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mohammad Mubarak Hossain stated that a control room has been set up, and district and upazila disaster management committees have held meetings. Ongoing rescue operations involve the army, which is ready to assist further if needed. Cooked food and water were distributed in Jaintapur on Thursday morning, according to Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russel Hasan.
Dipak Ranjan Das, executive engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Sylhet, noted that rainfall in India's Meghalaya region has raised river water levels in Sylhet. The Surma River at Kanaighat, the Kushiara River at Amalsad Point, the Sari River in Jaintiapur, and the Dawki, Goyain, and Dhalai rivers are all above danger levels.
Officials attribute the flooding to Cyclone Remal's influence, which has caused heavy rains and an influx of upstream water. Low-lying areas and haors in Gowainghat, Companiganj, Jaintapur, and Kanaighat are already flooded, with submerged roads hindering traffic. Residents have begun moving to shelters as homes collapse.
Local reports indicate that floodwaters were flowing through Banglabazar section number 4 of the Sylhet-Tamabil road on Thursday morning.
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