Sunamganj water levels recede as officials brace for potential monsoon flooding

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Floodwaters in Sunamganj have begun to recede following a reprieve in rainfall, providing a brief respite to a region bracing for potential inundation. According to the Water Development Board (WDB), water levels in the Surma River dipped slightly as both local precipitation and mountain runoff from upstream slowed over the past 24 hours.

Measurements taken at the Sholghar point in Sunamganj town at 9 a.m. Saturday recorded the river level at 7.24 meters, down from 7.30 meters at the same time on Friday. Meteorologists noted that rainfall dropped to 45 millimeters over the last day, a significant decrease from the 77 millimeters recorded in the preceding 24-hour window.

Despite the marginal decline, authorities remain on high alert. Executive Engineer of the local WDB office, Md. Emdadul Haque, warned that weather forecasts still indicate the potential for heavy rain, which could trigger short-term flooding across the district. Residents living along the riverbanks, including those in Ibrahimpur, remain cautious, noting that while the current situation has stabilized, renewed rainfall could quickly reverse the trend.

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In response to the threat, the district administration has launched comprehensive emergency protocols. A central control room has been established in the Sunamganj municipality, and all leave for government officials and staff has been canceled to ensure a rapid response capability. Similar control rooms have been mandated for the municipalities of Dirai, Jagannathpur, and Chhatak.

District Administrator Mohammad Minhajul Rahman confirmed that the region is fully prepared for potential evacuations. A total of 1,311 shelters have been readied, supported by a network of 1,056 medical teams, sufficient watercraft for rescue operations, and a robust corps of volunteers. To address immediate food security concerns, the administration has distributed 1,200 packets of dry rations and government-allocated rice across the district’s 12 sub-districts, with additional emergency relief supplies held in reserve.