Flood shelters opened in Sunamganj, rivers continue to swell

Authorities opened flood shelter centres at government schools in the north-eastern district of Sunamganj as swelling rivers overflowed the banks and left many families stranded in low lying areas.

About 60 families were stranded at different villages in Jagannathpur of Sunamganj after roads connecting them were submerged in water.

‘We have offered emergency shelter at eight primary schools at eight unions in the upazila in case people need it,’ said Jagannathpur upazila nirbahi officer Mahfujul Alom Masum.

Although nobody came to seek shelter, it might be necessary if rivers continue to swell for another day, he said.

Days of incessant monsoon rain coupled with onrush of water from the upstream led to the situation which was expected to remain unchanged in the next 24 hours.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre on Saturday said that most of the major rivers in the country except for Brahmaputra and Surma continued to rise till Saturday.

In a bulletin issued on Saturday afternoon, the flood forecasters said that most of the rivers in the north-eastern haor belt might continue to swell over next 24 hours resulting in flash floods.

The bulletin said that four north-eastern rivers — Jhalukhali, Surma, Sureswari and Old Surma —were flowing above the danger mark at five points till Saturday.

Jhalukhali was flowing more than a meter above the danger mark at Muslimpur, according to the bulletin.

The centre recorded heavy rains at many places in northern and north-eastern regions. The country’s highest rainfall of 127mm in 24 hours ending at 9:00am Saturday was recorded at Moulvibazar.

New Age correspondent in Lalmonirhat reported that at least 13 houses devoured in Dharla after a rapid fall in the water level of the river.

Another 34 to 40 houses were at the risk of being devoured by the river because of the erosion, he reported.

Osman Ali was among the victims of river erosion. He said that it was the fifth time his house was devoured by the river Dharla.

‘I see no hope,’ said Osmal Ali.

Meanwhile, situation of the 4,000 people who got stranded after swelling Dharla swept away the road connecting them with nearest town four days ago remained unchanged.

Authorities failed to repair the road so far despite repeated assurances of doing so.

The villages affected by the destruction of the road were char Shiberkuthi, Dharmapal, Boalmari and Char Kharua.

Met Office predicted that a low might form over the north bay in the next 24 hours which might turn into a depression in the next 48 hours.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net