June 3, 2025
DHAKA – Vast stretches of low-lying areas in Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts have been inundated as the Surma, Kushiyara and Manu rivers are overflowing following torrential rains over the past few days.
Downpour has also disrupted livelihoods in Chattogram and Bandarban districts, causing waterlogging in urban areas and triggering landslides along hilly terrains.
In Sylhet’s Zakiganj, the Kushiyara swelled to 186 centimetres above the danger level in the Amolshid area due to onrush of upstream water from India’s Assam, breaching embankments at several points and submerging vast areas across multiple unions.
Parts of Kanaighat upazila were also submerged, with the Surma river flowing 89cm above the danger level in the Kanaighat area.
Along with low-lying areas, parts of Zakiganj and Kanaighat municipalities have also gone under water. Although the upazila administrations have already prepared shelters, no one had moved in till this afternoon.
Several low-lying areas and major roads in Moulvibazar’s Barlekha, Kulaura, Sadar, Kamalganj and Juri upazilas were inundated, causing immense suffering to residents and commuters.
In Chattogram, 130mm of rainfall was recorded in 24 hours till this morning, leading to waterlogging in several parts of the city. However, the water receded after the rain stopped later in the morning.
A man named Chsheinu Marma, 38, was injured in a landslide at Bazar Para in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban.
Meanwhile, 60 resorts in Mirinja Valley under Bandarban’s Lama upazila were temporarily closed by the local administration after the area recorded 142mm of rainfall in 24 hours till this morning.
The highest rainfall in the country during the same period — 180mm — was recorded in Kutubdia of Cox’s Bazar, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
The Met office forecast light to moderate rainfall over the next five days starting from this morning.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said more rivers in the Sylhet region may cross the danger level in the next 48 hours from this morning.
It also warned that the situation in Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Habiganj may worsen, while fresh flooding may occur in Sunamganj and Netrokona districts.
According to a press release by UNHCR today, heavy rainfall over the past two days has triggered 53 landslides across 33 Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, damaging more than 1,400 shelters.
It said, one person has died due to a wall collapse, while 11 others have been injured in lightning strikes.
[Our correspondents from Sylhet, Chattogram, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, and Moulvibazar contributed to this report]