Staff Reporter :
New danger is looming in the flash flood-affected areas of the Moulvibazar district as water is gushing from the north overflowing Kushiyara River weakening embankments and exposing more areas to flood.
Cracks have developed along the embankment in Sadar’s Holdikul area. If the dam fails, it might inundate parts of Sylhet and worsen the flood situation in Moulvibazar town and adjacent areas.
Monu, Khui and Dhalai rivers are also flowing above the danger level causing floods in their outreach areas.
The Kushiyara is a trans-boundary river, flowing in from northern hills of Assam, entering the Bangladesh through Sylhet’s Zakiganj. The Kushiyara and Surma rivers have the same origin point, and Kushiyara merges into the Surma again at Habiganj.
Sources at Moulvibazar said the flood situation in the area improved in the past two days, but the damages to Kushiyara embankment are adding to concerns.
Latest report last afternoon said, Kushiyara, was surging 31cm above the danger level at Sherpur point in town according to local Water Development Board (WDB) sources.
“Due to heavy rainfall marred with onrush of hilly water, the soil under the embankment is eroding weakening the embankment. Water Development Board engineers, Bangladesh Army and locals are working together to repair the damaged embankments putting timber logs and sand bags.
If the embankment is not repaired soon, flood will hit wider areas worsening the present flood condition in Moulvibazar district.
The locals are blaming the indifference of Water Development Board officials behind the failing embankments of Kushiyara River. They left much of the weakened dams unrepaired in dry season.
The prevailing flash flood in Moulvibazar was triggered by the breach in embankments to Monu River. After showing cracks for the previous couple of years, the dam finally collapsed at different points last week.
Reports said water in Monu, Khowai and Dhalai rivers have started receding and people hope flood water will clear the area soon.
UNB adds: The flood situation in Fenchuganj upazila of the district deteriorated further, leaving 30,000 people of 25 villages in five unions marooned.
The Kushiara River was flowing 118 cm above the danger level at Fenchuganj Bazar on Wednesday, said sources at the local Water Development Board office.
Locals said Baghmara, Pitaitikor, Chhattis, Uttar Islampur, Monurtuk, KM Tilla, Fenchuganj Madhya Bazar, Nath Colony, Intaz Ali Residential Area and Paschim Bazar Residential Area went under water due to the flood caused by heavy rain and onrush from the upstream.
At least 30,000 people of Bhoraut, Guchchhagram, Moinpur, Barhal Nurpur’s Bilaigenji, Ghilachhara UP’s Judistipur, Uttar Kushiara UP’s Kotalpur, Uttar Tilla, Ilashpur Purbo Kandi, Uttar Fenchuganj’s Surikandi, Sailkandi, Goyasi, Manikona Bandarpara and Gongapur remained stranded in floodwater.
Fenchuganj Sadar Union Parishad Chairman Md Emran Uddin distributed relief among the affected people on Wednesday.
Fenchuganj Upazila Parishad Chairman Saifullah Al Hossain said they were taking proper steps to face the flood. He also said 22 tonnes of rice have already been allocated for the flood victims.
