Shawdesh desk:

Continuous heavy rain for 6 to 7 hours and onrush of water from the upstream submerged vast part of Sylhet city causing significant hardship to residents.

In 24 hours 226.6 millimeters rainfall was recorded in the city.

Meteorologist Shah Mohammad of Sylhet Meteorological office said 226.6mm rainfall was recoded from 6:00am on Sunday to 6:00am on Monday. Another 28mm of rain was recorded between 6:00am and 9:00am on Monday.

About 90 per cent of Sylhet city, including Upashahar, Jatarpur, Mendibagh, Jamtola, Taltala, Sheikhghat, Kalapara, Majumdar Para, Laldighirpar, Topkhana, Kazir Bazar, Terratan, Sobhanighat areas and Osmani Medical College Hospital, was submerged.

Not only houses, but also the largest hospital in Sylhet, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital (SOMCH), experienced waterlogging that disputed services.

Due to the flood situation, Monday’s exams in various educational institutions in the city were postponed.

The city’s residents demanded that the Surma River and the adjacent canals and streams in Sylhet be dredged.

According to district administration, since May 29, flash floods and heavy rains originating from upstream in India have affected 643,470 people in Sylhet’s Gowainghat, Kanaighat, Jaintiapur, Companiganj, Jokiganj, Beanibazar, Golapganj, and Sylhet Sadar Upazilas.

Some 547 shelters have been opened in the affected areas, with 3,739 people taking refuge in these centers.

Meanwhile, over a hundred families are staying in two shelters in Sylhet city, according to Sajlu Laskar, public relations officer of Sylhet City Corporation.

He said food is being provided for them and that the flood situation is being closely monitored.