Mintu Deshwara

Shamim Ahmed, a young resident of Eklimnagar village in Sunamganj’s Chhatak upazila, has been stranded with no relief since the flood hit his home six days ago.

Md Raju Mia (35), a resident of Murshibadkura village in Talimpur union on the bank of Hakaluki Haor, and his family have been battling the floods for generations. But this year's flood, caused by incessant rain and water from upstream, has put them in a tough position.

“Sir, please note down my name. I have five daughters and we have been going hungry for two days.”

Around 30 families from the Tripura community, living on a hillock in Satchhari National Park area in Habiganj’s Chunarughat upazila, are in grave trouble. The only bridge connecting them to the mainland has collapsed due to the stormy winds and flood water flowing down the canal. As a result, they remain stranded on the hillock, unable to move to a safer region.

The floods wreaking havoc in the country’s northern and north-eastern districts may worsen as water levels in already overflowing rivers could continue to rise over the next two days, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre. 

A total of 55.2 mm rainfall was recorded in Moulvibazar in the last 24 hours. In urban areas, the flood water decreased slightly today (June 18, 2022) as compared to yesterday, but at least 40 villages of the district remain waterlogged due to incessant rain.

Low-lying areas of Habiganj city are inundated – causing immense people suffering – due to the incessant heavy rains, onrush of water from the hills and rising water in the rivers.

Residents of Chhatak, Bishwambarpur, Tahirpur and Dowarabazar upazilas of Sunamganj and Companiganj, Gowainghat upazilas of Sylhet, including the city corporation areas, are badly affected due to the ongoing heavy rain and flood.

Worsening floods in Sunamganj and Sylhet districts have resulted in power outages, closure of many schools as they have been turned into makeshift flood shelters, and vast areas being inundated, with locals saying the flood is worse than the ones they experienced in 1998 and 2004.  

In the last few years, 31 illegal brick kilns have been built within just 1.5 kilometres on both sides of Dhuliakhal-Mirpur regional road in Habiganj. Of them, only 15 are authorised, according to local union parishad chairman Saifuddin.

Following the devastating blast in the Sitakunda BM Depot, 22-year-old depot worker Al Amin went missing. His parents, living in Habiganj’s Bagerkhal village under Putizuri union, made repeated attempts to reach him over the phone, but failed.

“The last time I talked to my son was around 2:00pm on Saturday,” said Hasina Begum. 

Monaf Mia, a 65-year-old tea worker in Mominchhara tea garden of Sylhet’s Fenchuganj, works in the gardens all day, only to come back home at night to get soaked in rainwater, due to the dilapidated condition of the roof over his head.

“When the first signs of rain came, I harvested the paddy in a hurry. But now, four days since the downpour, I’ve lost both my house and the paddy. I don’t know how I’ll harvest the rest of it. We’re in danger.”

With rivers in Sylhet and Sunamganj still flowing above the danger level, fisheries and crop farms have been bearing the brunt.

With the weather forecast indicating deterioration of the flood situation in the north-eastern region, the demand for relief is increasing in the affected areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj.

This is the story of a group, but more than that, it’s the story of the man behind it.

With its serene waters and tranquil environment, Madhabkunda waterfall in Moulvibazar is among the top picks of tourists to visit during the holidays.

The number of migratory birds at Hakaluki Haor has been gradually decreasing over the last five years for a variety of reasons.

During the Eid holidays, Lawachhara National Park sees tourists double its capacity. This has been the trend for quite some years now, except for the hiatus due to the pandemic in the last two years.