Flash floods sever road links in Sunamganj as water levels rise
Photo Collected
Heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of India has triggered a surge of mountain runoff, severing road connectivity between Sunamganj district headquarters and Tahirpur upazila. The deluge, exacerbated by persistent local precipitation, has caused water levels in rivers across the Sunamganj region to rise steadily.
The primary transport route, the Sunamganj-Tahirpur road, was rendered impassable on Sunday morning after floodwaters submerged three low-lying sections at Durgapur and Shaktiarkhola in Bishwambharpur upazila, and Anwarpur in Tahirpur. Local residents reported that the swift currents flowing over these sections have brought vehicle movement to a complete standstill, leaving commuters in the area stranded.
According to the Sunamganj Water Development Board (WDB), the situation is fueled by extreme weather conditions across the border. While Sunamganj recorded 20 millimeters of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to Sunday morning, the upstream Indian regions of Cherrapunji and Mawsynram saw massive downpours of 320 millimeters and 526 millimeters, respectively. This heavy upstream discharge typically serves as a precursor to rapid flooding in the downstream districts of Bangladesh.
The Surma River, the region’s main waterway, has seen its water level rise significantly throughout the day. At the Shologhar point in Sunamganj town, the water level reached 7.40 meters by 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, up from 7.20 meters in the morning. While the river remains 0.40 meters below the danger mark of 7.80 meters, officials warn that the current trajectory suggests it may soon breach the threshold.
WDB Executive Engineer Md. Mamun Hawlader confirmed that the agency is closely monitoring the rivers as the trend continues. Citing meteorological forecasts, Hawlader warned that heavy rainfall is expected to persist over the next 48 hours, significantly increasing the risk of widespread flooding in the region. Residents living along the riverbanks have expressed growing anxiety as water levels continue to swell, fearing a repeat of past flood events should the rain refuse to abate.
0%
0%
0%
0%
