A correspondent:
Sylhet: Incessant rains in Sylhet and onrush of hilly waters have created floods again in Sylhet and Sunamganj.
According to the Water Development Board (WDB), the water levels of Surma, Kushiyara, Sari, Gowain, and Dauki have been steadily rising since yesterday evening. At the Kanaighat point, the Surma River’s water surged to 30 cm above the danger level by 9 am yesterday, marking a significant rise com-pared to its levels just a day prior.
But until Sunday, the water was below the danger level at this point. Besides, the water level of the Kushiyara River at Fenchuganj point is 81 cm above the danger level.
Residents of Companiganj, Gowainghat and Jaintapur upazilas said the water level of the rivers is rising due to onrush of water from upstream. They said heavy rains in India’s upstream areas caused the rise in water levels.
Locals also fear that low-lying areas of Sylhet will be inundated if the rains continue in Sylhet and In-dia’s Cherrapunji.
Akbul Mia, a trader at Jaflong Bazar in Gowainghat, referred to the noticeable increase in water levels at the Dauki River, saying, “Yesterday, the water level was quite low, but yesterday, water is rushing in from upstream at a swift pace.”
Shah Mohammad Sajib Hossain, assistant meteorologist at the Sylhet Met Office, confirmed the intensity of rainfall in the area, noting that Sylhet recorded 39.6 mm of rain over 24 hours, with an additional 65 mm from 6 am to 9 am yesterday. Cherrapunji in India also witnessed heavy rainfall, receiving 313 mm within the same time.
