Flash floods inundate parts of Sunamganj town; 250 villages flooded in Kurigram

Flash floods triggered by onrush of water from the upstream and heavy rains have inundated low-lying areas in different upazilas in Sunamganj district. 

Besides, 250 villages have been flooded in Kurigram district, rendering over 75,000 people marooned as the Brahmaputra and the Dharla Rivers are flowing  above the danger level, reports UNB.

In Sunamganj, The Surma and the Jadukata rivers are flowing above the danger level on Saturday.

The Surma River was flowing 46cm above the danger level at 9am while Jadukata River was flowing 57cm above the danger level. 

Roads and houses in Shologhar, Kazir Point, Uttar Arpinnagar, Tegharia, Boropara areas in Sunmajganj town were inundated in the morning.

Meanwhile, low-lying areas of Sunamganj Sadar, Doarabazar, Bishwambharpur, Tahirpur upazilas were also flooded. 

Sobibur Rahman, executive engineer, Sunamganj Water Development Board (WDB), said 902mm rain, highest of the season, was recorded in the last 72 hours in Cherapujni in India.

Meanwhile, 190mm rain was recorded in Sunamganj in the last 24 hours, he said adding that heavy rains and onrush of upstream water following heavy rains in India  caused the flash floods.

In Kurigram, WDB sources said the Dharla River was flowing 43cm above the danger level at Bridge Point while Brahmaputra 38cm above the danger level at Chilmari point at 12pm on Saturday. 

Ariful Islam, executive engineer of Kurigram WDB, said, “Although water in the Dharla and the Teesta Rivers likely to decrease in one or two days but Brahmanputra river water will continue rising.”

Flood water has been entering new areas every day and damaging jute, vegetables and seed beds in the district, he added. 

Kurigram Sadar Upazila’s Jatrapur Union Parishad Chairman Ayub Ali said 15 chars in his union were inundated. 

People of those char areas have taken shelter in nearby flood centres and schools, he added.

Some areas in Bhurungamari, Chilmari, Roumari, Rajibpur and Ulipur upazilas were also submerged by floodwater .

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Aush on 37 hectares of land, sesame on 93 hectares and green chili on six hectares were damaged by flood in Kurigram Sadar and Roumari upazilas.

Vegetables, maize, peanut, and jute fields were also damaged in the district.