Water levels fall slightly in Sylhet, Sunamganj; over 50,000 still stranded in Habiganj, Moulvibazar

Highlights:

• Water levels in Sylhet and Sunamganj fell slightly after two days of rising, but flood fears persist.
• Over 50,000 people remain stranded and more than 11,000 families affected in Habiganj and Moulvibazar.
• At least 22 unions remain inundated after embankment breaches submerged homes, roads and cropland.
• The Surma River fell by 2cm in Sunamganj over the past 24 hours, while all rivers in Sylhet are flowing below the danger level.
• Sunamganj municipality cancelled staff leave and opened a control room as authorities remain on flood alert.

Water levels in Sylhet and Sunamganj fell slightly today (11 July) after two days of rising, but flood fears remain, as more than 50,000 people remain stranded in Moulvibazar and Habiganj.

There was little rainfall in Sylhet until this afternoon, contributing to the decline in river levels. 

However, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said water levels could rise again if rainfall and upstream flows increase.

According to the BWDB's Sylhet office, all rivers in the district are flowing below the danger level.

The Surma River at Kanaighat fell from 12.39 centimetres at 6am to 12.38 centimetres at noon. At the Sylhet point, it dropped from 9.79 centimetres to 9.78 centimetres.

The Kushiyara River also declined at most monitoring points. At Amalshid, the level fell from 14.57 centimetres to 14.54 centimetres, while at Sheola it dropped from 12.14 centimetres to 12.13 centimetres. The level remained unchanged at Sherpur and rose slightly at Fenchuganj from 9.66 centimetres to 9.67 centimetres.

The Sari-Gowain River recorded slight increases. At Sarighat, the water level rose from 10.60 centimetres to 10.66 centimetres, while at Gowainghat it increased from 9.77 centimetres to 9.82 centimetres. Water levels in the Piyain and Lovachhara rivers fell slightly.

BWDB Sylhet Executive Engineer Dipak Ranjan Das said limited rainfall and reduced upstream flows caused the decline, but water levels could rise again if rainfall and upstream flows increase.

Water levels also declined in Sunamganj, where the Surma River fell by 2 centimetres this morning. Other border rivers also recorded slight falls after rainfall and upstream flows eased yesterday.

BWDB Sunamganj Executive Engineer Emdadul Haque said river levels have risen rapidly over the past few days, but the Surma has fallen by 2 centimetres in the last 24 hours. He said the flood threat still remains.

Amid the flood risk, Sunamganj municipality has cancelled leave for all officials and employees and opened a control room to respond to any emergency.

Meanwhile, flash floods continue to affect Habiganj and Moulvibazar, where at least 22 unions remain inundated. More than 11,000 families have been affected, leaving over 50,000 people stranded.

River embankment breaches have flooded vast areas in the two districts, submerging homes, roads and cropland. 

Many people are searching for safer shelter, while shortages of food, safe drinking water and shelter have been reported in several areas.

In Habiganj, water from the Khowai River entered through two points, flooding at least 30 villages in Sadar, Baniachang and Bahubal upazilas. 

Water began entering populated areas on Thursday night after an embankment collapsed in the Kaliganj-Charhamua area and the river overflowed at Radhapur, inundating Noabad, Charhamua, Kaliganj, Jadabpur, Bangaon and surrounding areas.