Water is entering localities after dams breached at three places on the Kushiyara River in Zakiganj, Sylhet. The dams breached at around 2:30 am on Sunday in Rarai village of Zakiganj Sadar Union, early Monday morning in Bakharshal village, and around 8 am in Loharmahal village of Khalachhara Union.
The water of the Kushiyara River is entering the locality through the dam of Keshari village near the municipal town. Apart from this, water is overflowing the dams in more than fifty places in different areas of the upazila including Chhabria, Senapatirchak of Sadar Union, Ichapur of Sultanpur UP, Khalachhara UP, Pillakandi of Barthakuri UP and entering the locality. Local people are trying to protect the dams by throwing sandbags.
According to local sources, about 100 feet of the Kushiyara River in Rarai village of Zakiganj Sadar Union, about 40 feet of the dam in Bakharshal village, and about 30 feet of the dam in Loharmahal area of Khalachhara UP have broken. As a result, water is entering through all those areas. Schools, colleges, madrasas, mosques and houses in the area are being submerged. People in the area are looking for safe shelter.
Meanwhile, as the water level in Kushiyara continues to rise, water has already entered the homes of people living in the coastal areas. People in the coastal areas have been seeking safe shelter since last night. The upazila administration has set up a control room to deal with the flood situation.
Zakiganj Upazila Executive Officer Mahbubur Rahman said, 57 shelters are ready in the upazila. In addition, rescue teams including boats have been prepared. However, it is not immediately certain how many villages have been flooded. The Water Development Board will be able to say better about the issue of water entering through the breach of the dam.
Deepak Ranjan Das, executive engineer of the Sylhet Water Development Board, told Prothom Alo that the water of the Kushiyara River is flowing one and a half to one meter above the danger level. In such a situation, the water is ‘out of control’. Due to this, whether the dam breaks or overflows, water is entering the locality.
The Kapnapahar Battala area of the Juri-Batuli Customs Station road has been submerged in water. This Monday morningPhoto: Kalyan Prasun
Water levels of Manu and Juri rivers above danger level
The water of the Manu River and the Juri River in Moulvibazar is flowing above the danger level. Various places on the Juri-Batuli Customs Station road in Juri upazila have been submerged. Due to this, people are facing difficulties in moving. In addition, the dam of the Juri River in Fultala Union of the upazila has broken and several houses have been flooded.
According to the Moulvibazar office of the Water Development Board, at 9 am on Monday, the water level of the Manu River was flowing 27 centimeters above the danger level at the Manu Rail Bridge point in Kulaura Upazila. At the same time, the water level of the Juri River at the Kaminiganj Bazar Bridge point in Juri was 160 centimeters above the danger level.
Imtiaz Gafur Maruf, a member of Ward No. 2 of Juri’s Fultala Union Parishad (UP), said on his mobile phone at around 10 am today that about 15 feet of the Juri River embankment broke in the Dakshin Konagaon area last night and water started entering the locality. So far, 40 to 50 houses along the river banks in Dakshin Konagaon and Konagaon have been flooded. Roads have also been submerged. People are stranded in the water.
As of around 9 am today, the Kapnapahar Tea Garden, Hafizi and South Sagarnal areas on the Juri-Batuli Customs Station road were submerged in 2 to 3 feet of water. CNG-powered auto-rickshaws are plying at a risk.
Monowara Khatun of Barodahar area of Sagarnal Union was going to the Upazila Health Complex with her sick elderly mother by renting an autorickshaw. Monowara said, “I came knowing that water was rising on the road. It is difficult. Suddenly, my mother’s health is very bad. I am going to see a doctor.”
Bablu Sutradhar, UNO of Juri, said, “The flood situation is being monitored round the clock. Dry food is being provided for the people.”
Kulaura UNO Md. Mohiuddin said, although the water level in the Manu River increased, there was no damage anywhere. However, the dam of the Gogalichara River in North Laskarpur of Ward No. 7 of Kulaura Municipality broke and flooded some houses. Six families have come to the Jaypasha Government Primary School shelter. Rice has been distributed there.
Source: Prothom Alo
