Shawdesh desk:

The flood-affected people of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts have been suffering immensely for acute crises of food, drinking water and fuel.

Sources said the flood, which was triggered in Sylhet region by onrush of hilly water from India, remained unchanged on Saturday.

Over two million people have been affected by the flooding. Many have taken shelter after their houses were submerged.

A total of 325 shelter centres have been opened in the district. Some 7,000 people have taken shelter in 95 centres. Because of the flash flood, water supply was cut off for five days in six wards of Sylhet city.

So, more than one lakh people are facing an acute crisis of drinkable water. They have to go to different places in search of drinking water.

Different upazilas of Sylhet have already been affected by the flooding. The city has been submerged by the water from the Surma. In this situation, Sylhet City Corporation stopped water supply to six wards in fear of contaminated water entering the supply line.

The situation has been worst for the flood victims as tube wells, reserve tanks and kitchens have been submerged. They have to rush to different places to collect drinking water.

The city corporation says water supply to many areas has been cut off to keep the water clean. However, water is being supplied to the flood-hit areas through special vehicles.

According to the city corporation, a hotline has been opened for any assistance to the city dwellers in case of floods.

Apart from Zakiganj, water level has risen in Bishwanath and Fenchuganj upazilas. In the last two days, at least 15 to 20 villages in these upazilas have been flooded afresh. In other upazilas of the district, water has decreased in some places and increased in other places.

Flood victims said although floodwater has decreased in some areas, the amount was very low. As a result, water has not yet moved from their houses. Their sufferings are just like before.

Meanwhile, the flood situation in 13 upazilas of Sylhet remained unchanged. Although the water of Surma and Kushiyara rivers is still flowing over the danger level, the water of Surma river has started decreasing. However, due to heavy rains in Sylhet region from Saturday morning, the floodwater may rise.

According to Bangladesh Water Development Board, water is flowing at 13.62cm at Kanaighat point of Surma river and 11.7cm at Surma point. Water is flowing at 16.98 cm above the red mark at Amalshid point of Kushiyara river. Water is flowing at 9.80cm above the danger level at Fenchuganj point of Kushiyara river. Besides, water level has also risen at Sherpur point of Kushiyara river.

However, Zakiganj’s acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Pallab Hom Das said there was adequate relief. These relief items are being delivered to the flood victims. He said the upazila administration had held an emergency meeting at noon to discuss the flood situation.

“So far, one lakh taka and 36 metric tonnes of rice and dry food items have been allocated in the upazila. Deputy Commissioner Md Mojibur Rahman distributed 300 more packets of relief items as a gift from the Prime Minister yesterday,” he added.

Heavy rain is taking place across the division. As a result, rising river water has worsened the flood situation. The two main rivers of Sylhet, Surma, Kushiyara and other rivers have overflowed and flooded one area after another. Crop fields have sunk, fish in ponds have been washed away.

Meanwhile, water is entering 17 areas of Sunamganj municipal town. At least 20 roads have been submerged. Local people are in food crisis as they cannot go to work.