Bangladesh in terrible floods

By Mahbub Hasan Tutul, Dhaka

Several districts of Sylhet division have already been inundated due to continuous rains and steep slopes in Bangladesh. This situation is gradually deteriorating. In this situation, the SSC examination which started from next Sunday 19th June has been temporarily postponed.

The floodwaters have already reached the runway of Sylhet Osmani International Airport.The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the closure of Sylhet Osmani International Airport for the next three days.Hafiz Ahmed, manager of Sylhet Osmani International Airport,confirmed the matter at noon on Friday June 17.

According to the Office of the Primary and Secondary Education Officer, about 367 educational institutions have already been closed in Sylhet district alone due to the floods. Of these, 230 are primary schools and 137 are secondary schools.

The people of Sylhet in Bangladesh are facing a terrible flood situation due to continuous rains and landslides. In just two days, 11 upazilas of Sylhet have been flooded. The people of the vast area of Sylhet are in an unknown panic as the water level rises day and night. Many are spending sleepless nights in fear of floods.

According to locals, the last flood surpassed the 2004 floods. And this time the flood may surpass the flood of 1998.

Members of 7th Battalion of the Army have started work in 8 upazilas of Sylhet division. They started the rescue operation. In Sylhet Sadar, Gowainghat, Kompaniganj, Chatak, Dirai, Doarabazar, army members have started rescuing waterlogged people. Sylhet power station is at risk due to rising water.

Earlier in the day, Major General Hamidul Haque, the division’s chief, gave a briefing on the issue at the headquarters of the 17th Infantry Division in Sylhet. He said members of the army would go first and carry out the rescue operation. Then food will help. Medical services will also be provided if required. Besides, army personnel on the ground will work on how to protect food warehouses at Kumargaon power station and Sunamganj from floods.

Saeed Ahmad Chowdhury, a senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Department in Sylhet, said the entire month of June is expected to receive 818.4 mm of rain. But till the 16th, 94.81 percent or 77.7 mm of rainfall has been received. There will be heavy rains in Sylhet till June 26. This could lead to further deterioration of the flood situation in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts of Bangladesh.