Sylhet, July 01 (V7N)- Due to increased rainfall in Cherrapunji, India, the water levels in Sylhet's rivers have started rising again from 6 AM on Sunday, June 30th. According to the Water Development Board's Sylhet office, water levels in almost all rivers of Sylhet have been increasing by 3 to 5 centimeters every three hours since 6 AM on Sunday, June 30th. This trend has continued until Monday.
 
Officials are concerned that a third phase of flooding could occur in Sylhet if there is a significant downpour from the Indian hills. People in the border areas are living in fear of floods. Just when the ongoing flood situation in Sylhet was improving, rain and hill torrents caused the water levels in the rivers to rise again. Since Sunday morning, all rivers have been increasing by 3 to 5 centimeters every three hours.
 
According to the Sylhet Meteorological Office, 21.6 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Sylhet in the past 24 hours (from 6 AM Saturday to 6 AM Sunday). The Indian Meteorological Department reported 186 millimeters of rainfall in Cherrapunji in the past 24 hours (from 9 AM Saturday to 9 AM Sunday). Previously, from 9 AM Friday to 9 AM Sunday, Cherrapunji recorded 141 millimeters of rainfall.
 
As a result, the water levels in all rivers of Sylhet have started rising rapidly again. According to the Water Development Board's Sylhet office, water levels in the Surma, Sari, Sarigowain, Piyain (Dawki), and Dholai rivers have been rising since Sunday morning. The water level in one point of the Kushiyara River is flowing above the danger level.
 
Meanwhile, the residents of Nayagangar Para in Jaflong Union, on the banks of the Piyan River in Gowainghat Upazila, are living in fear. In the recent flood, everything, including the houses of four families in this area, was submerged. Moinna Mia from the area said, "During the Eid flood, everything, including my house, was submerged. Having lost everything, my family is almost destitute now. I am scared whenever I see the water levels rising again."
 
Nasrin Akter, a resident of Burdeo in the Companiganj Sadar Upazila, said, "During the last two floods, there was chest-high water in my house. I faced a lot of difficulties with my small children. I've heard that torrents are coming down the rivers again, and I am constantly worried about when the water will enter my house."
 
Deepak Ranjan Das, the executive engineer of the Water Development Board in Sylhet, said that the current flood situation in Sylhet was improving. However, there has been rainfall in Sylhet and India over the past few days. Hill torrents are also coming from India. Hence, the water levels in all the rivers of the district have been rising since Sunday morning. Except for the Fenchuganj point of the Kushiyara River, all river water levels are still below the danger mark. Expressing concern about a third phase of flooding, he added that all haors, baors, and rivers are already full of water due to the previous two floods.
 
There is no place for water to drain in low-lying areas. Therefore, if there is a hill torrent from India now, it will be dangerous for us. Everyone needs to stay alert about the possibility of flooding again.
 
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