“Power supply suspended” Partially immobile to Sylhet, Sunamganj
Locals said, not seen such a disastrous flood last 50 years in Sylhet, Sunamganj
Sylhet Correspondent: Dhaka, Jun-18,
The sufferings of flood-hit people in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts have mounted with more and more areas going under water and suspention of power supply to the two districts.
The situation turned severe with rising water levels in major rivers due to onrush of hilly water from India.
As floodwater entered Kumargaon grid power sub station in Sylhet at 12 pm on Saturday the authorities suspended power supply to the two districts, said Chief Engineer of Sylhet Power Development Board (Selling and distribution region), Abdul Kadir.
The unprecendented flood inunadated 80 per cent area of Sylhet district and 90 per cent area of Sunamganj, according to Flood Forecast and Warning Center.
Executive Engineer of Flood Forecast and Warning Center, Arifuzzaman Bhuiya, said this is the first time that 80 per cent of Sylhet district went under water and the flood situation may turn worse further as the meterologists predicts heavy showers on Saturday and Sunday.
The low-lying areas in Moulvibazar district and Habiganj districts have been flooded as major rivers keep rising.
Talking to the media, some flood vicitms in Sylhet city said they have not seen susch a disastarous flood sitiuon in the last 50 years.
According to the local weather office, the water level of many rivers will rise in the next two days due to onrush of water from upstream.
According to the Water Development Boards, many rivers have been flowing above ther danger levels at many points.
The Surma water was flowing 128 cm above its danger mark at Kanaighat point, 77 cm up at Sylhet point, 120 cm above at Sunamganj point at 6am on Saturday while the Sari River was flowing 67 cm above its red mark at the same time.
The water level of the Kurishara River has also increased and the Jadukata River in Sunamganj district is also flowing above its danger point.
A 35-member team of navy has joined army in the rescue operation in the flood-hit areas at Jalalabad union of Sadar upazila of Sylhet, said Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Mojibur Rahman.
Another 60-member team of navy, two teams of Coast Guards and two helicopters of Bangladesh Air Force will join the team in the afternoon.
Many people in the flood-hit areas have been stranded in their respective houses as they failed to move safer places due to lack of boats.
The flood also disrupted network of different telecom operatros, causing sufferings of people.
Road communication snapped
A limited number of vehicles are plying on Sylhet- Sunamganj road amid risk it went under flood water .
Besides, the Sylhet-Companiganj-Bholaganj road went under water, halting road communication.
Authorities concerned also disconnected gas supply in some flood-hit areas.
Situation at shelter homes
Local administrations have opened a number of shelter homes in the two districts which have become overcrowded.
The inmates of the shelter homes are now crying for food, pure drinking water and fodder.
Situation in Sylhet city
Many residents of Sylhet city were seen making concrete walls with bricks and cement at entracens of their respective houses to protect them from flood water.
The low-lying areas of the city have been submerged by flood water. People were seen wading through the knee-to-waist deep water.
Army deployment
The government has deployed army personnel in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts to speed up flood rescue and relief operations, according to ISPR.
Nine units of the Bangladesh Army started rescue operation in flood-hit Sylhet and Sunamganj districts Friday afternoon.
Already nine teams of army in eight upazilas of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts are conducting the rescue operation. They were involved in taking the flood-hit people to the nearest shelter homes, said Major General Hamidul Haque of Sylhet Cantonment.
Besides, Army personnel are also assisted the local administration to built a flood protection dam in Sylhet.
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