Dulal Mia, Sunamganj

The flood situation has improved in Sunamganj.  However, the common people are suffering due to the gradual reduction of water.  Most of the settlements and roads in the district are still knee-deep in water.  In some residential areas, residents have to travel by boat.

The sun is smiling in the Sunamganj sky after the rain subsided from Thursday afternoon.  After the sun came out, the flood situation started to improve.  According to district administration, 1 thousand 18 villages have been flooded in 12 upazilas of Sunamganj.  8 lakh people are trapped in water.  About 25 thousand families have settled in shelters.

Flood situation has been created in Sunamganj since June 16.  Numerous houses, public and private institutions, educational institutions and roads have been flooded.  Ponds and farm fish have been washed away.  Initially, Sadar, Chatak and Doarabazar upazilas were affected, but later all the upazilas of the district were affected by floods.  People have been suffering for six days.  As the days go by, the suffering of the waterlogged people is increasing.  Many have food shortages at home.  People are suffering due to sinking roads.

The flood situation in Chatak, Sadar and Doarabazar upazilas of the district remains unchanged.  People are suffering more in Chatak and Doarabazar upazilas.  These two upazilas were hit first by the hill slope.  Chatak has been flooded for a week.  All unions and municipalities of Chatak Upazila are flooded.

In Sunamganj city, many people’s residences, public and private institutions, businesses, educational institutions still have water.  Those who have water in their homes are in more trouble.  Many have settled in relatives’ houses.  Some have come to the hotel with their families.  Others are in shelters.

Mosharraf Hossain, a resident of Hasannagar area of the city, said on Friday morning that the water has decreased a little.  But slowly decreasing.  And how many people will suffer!
Former UP chairman Aminur Rashid, a resident of Patharia village in Shantiganj upazila, said that the water has stagnated in their area.  coming down low  Abdul Kadir, a resident of Kalipur village of Sadar Upazila, said that 90 percent of the houses in the village have water.  It is not possible to move on the roads without a boat.  As time goes by, human suffering is increasing.

According to the sources of the Water Development Board, the water of the Surma river at Sholghar point of Sunamganj town was 6 cm above the flood limit at 9 am today.  The water of Surma river is flowing over 90 cm in Chatak upazila headquarters.  Sunamganj has received 2 millimeters of rain in the last 24 hours (Thursday 9 am to Friday 9 am).  At the same time, Cherrapunji, upstream of Sunamganj in India received less rain.  Due to this, the amount of hill descent was less.

Sunamganj Water Development Board Executive Engineer Mamun Howladar said, “There has been no rain in Sunamganj since Thursday. During this time, the upstream hill slopes have come down less. Therefore, the water in the river has decreased. The problem is more in the upstream hill slopes.”
Deputy Commissioner of Sunamganj Mohammad Rashed Iqbal Chowdhury said, “The overall situation is under our observation. There are enough relief materials. Dry food and cooked food are being arranged in shelters. We hope the situation will improve.”