Sylhet Hit by Worst Flood in 122-Year History, 64 Upazilas Inundated

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman said, 64 Upazilas in 10 districts of the country are flooded. He also said the flood-hit areas in Sylhet and Sunamganj are in dire straits. It is said that in the history of 122 years, there was no such flood in Sylhet and Sunamganj.  

The Minister said this while speaking at a briefing on the overall flood situation in the conference room of the ministry at the secretariat on Saturday (June 18) afternoon.  

The state minister further said all the organizations of the country including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are working together. The Prime Minister is supervising the rescue operation without sleeping. Adequate relief and rescue operations are underway.

The army, navy and coast guard are conducting rescue operations. He also said that the army would continue its operations until the rescue operation was completed.

Sylhet was flooded in the first phase on May 15 this year. According to the Water Development Board, Sylhet received the highest amount of water in the last 18 years during the May floods. However, the ongoing floods have surpassed last month's record.

The low-lying areas of Sylhet have been flooded since Wednesday (June 15). But from noon on Thursday, it took a terrible turn. Most areas of Sylhet city were submerged in the flood waters between 12 noon and Thursday night.

Within 24 hours, the water of the hill slope coming down from the upper reaches of Sylhet has washed away the houses. The people of Sylhet have never seen such a horrible form of flood in one day. Millions of people have been shocked by the sudden rise in flood waters. Local administration officials including Sylhet City Corporation were also surprised.

Victims of the catastrophic floods are unable to find shelter. Banavasi people of Sylhet are in crisis of dry food and clean water. Besides, the farmers of the district are in dire straits with their livestock. In such a situation, social and cultural organizers have called upon all to come forward as much as possible in tackling the humanitarian crisis.

Meanwhile, a terrible flood situation has been created in Sunamganj for the last two days due to the hill slope coming down from the upper reaches. Twelve Upazilas of Sunamganj have been submerged in the water of the hill slope. As a result, more than 4 lakh people have become waterlogged.

Meanwhile, the entire city of Sunamganj has been submerged in the flood waters. The city dwellers do not have the opportunity to go to the shelter. As a result, millions of people are spending their days without food in waterlogged conditions. Many are risking their lives in small boats to reach shelters.