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31 May, 2025 : Sunamganj is experiencing continuous heavy rainfall and an influx of hill runoff from upstream, causing water levels in rivers and haors (wetlands) to rise. The weather forecast predicts heavy rainfall for the next 48 hours, raising concerns about potential short-term flooding in low-lying areas.
On Saturday at noon, the water level of the Surma River near Sahebbari Ghat in Sunamganj town was recorded at 6.78 meters, 1.2 meters below the danger level. Over the past 24 hours, the water level has risen by 90 centimeters, with 71 millimeters of rainfall recorded in the district during the same period.
According to the Sunamganj Water Development Board (WDB), heavy rainfall over the past two days and runoff from upstream areas, particularly from Cherrapunji in India, where 410 millimeters of rain fell in the last 24 hours, have contributed to the rising water levels in rivers and haors. Although water levels in the haors remain relatively low, continued heavy rainfall could lead to flooding in low-lying areas.
Apart from the Surma River, water levels are also rising in other rivers, including Jadukata in Tahirpur Upazila, Patnai, Kushiyara, Naljur, Chela, Chalti, Rakti, Boulai, and Khasiamara. A resident of Laurergar in Tahirpur Upazila, Saidur Rahman, reported that since Saturday morning, a significant amount of hill runoff has been flowing into the area, filling the haors with water. He expressed concerns that continued heavy rainfall could trigger a flood situation.
The Executive Engineer of Sunamganj WDB, Md. Mamun Howlader, told Prothom Alo on Saturday afternoon, “Heavy rainfall may continue for the next two days, and runoff water is entering the haors. However, this rainfall is somewhat normal for Sunamganj, and we do not expect flooding at this stage.” Despite this assurance, local residents remain apprehensive about the possibility of floods if the heavy rainfall persists.
AI/MR
