Surma, Kushiyara rivers swell as fresh floods hit Sylhet

A fresh spell of flash floods has struck Sylhet division following continuous rainfall and onrush of upstream waters, causing the Surma and Kushiyara rivers to rise above the danger level at multiple points.

However, a Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) bulletin today said the floodwaters in Sylhet, Sunamganj, and Moulvibazar -- which swelled over the last two days -- are expected to recede gradually within the next 48 hours starting from 9:00am today.

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Sylhet, at 12:00pm today, the Surma was flowing 7cm above the danger level at Kanaighat point, down from 21cm last evening.

The Kushiyara was flowing 75cm above danger level at Amalshid in Zakiganj and 1cm above in Fenchuganj. Yesterday evening, it had been flowing 95cm above danger level at Amalshid but 6cm below in Fenchuganj.

At Sheola in Beanibazar, the Kushiyara's water level dropped from 5cm above the danger level to 5cm below within the same period.

Meanwhile, the FFWC bulletin reported that Sunamganj's Madhyanagar recorded 112mm of rainfall in 24 hours till this morning, while 90mm was recorded in the district town. On the Indian side, Meghalaya's Cherrapunji saw 91mm of rainfall, and Mawsynram 70mm, over the same period.

The FFWC forecast that parts of Sylhet division, as well as neighbouring Assam and Meghalaya in India, are likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.

Though both major rivers of the division are swelling, only a few low-lying areas have been flooded so far. No serious flood situation has yet been reported.