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Heavy rainfall and water from the upstream have once again inundated fresh areas in Sunamganj, Bangladesh.

Although rainfall decreased from Friday night, leading to a slight drop in water levels, new areas in the low-lying regions of Bishwambharpur and Tahirpur upazilas have been submerged due to upstream waters.

The Water Development Board reported that as of 9:00 am on Saturday, the water level at the Shologhor point in Sunamganj town was flowing 13 centimetres below the danger level. Due to the relatively lower rainfall, the water level at the Shologhar point of the River Surma in the municipal town has decreased by 39 centimetres.

Despite the decrease in the river’s water level, road communication remains severed as the Tahirpur-Sunamganj road is still underwater.

The rising water level in the River Boulai has caused rapid water flow over rural roads in Chiksa and Hosenpur villages in Tahirpur Sadar union towards the haor, halting vehicle movement.

The prolonged flooding has severely impacted residents’ lives and livelihoods.

Abdul Nur, a resident of Sadar upazila, said, ‘We have no place to stay due to the floodwaters. There is nothing left in the house to eat.’

‘I have not been able to work for a long time. Almost everyone in our village is in the same situation. No one is at peace,’ he added.

Faisal Ahmed, a resident of Tahirpur upazila, said, ‘We are completely exhausted from the floodwaters every couple of days. We don’t know when we will get relief from the floods.’

‘All our household items are getting ruined. I haven’t been able to take my CNG auto-rickshaw out of the house for three days. It’s submerged in water. I'm worried about how much it will cost to fix the vehicle after the flood subsides and where I will get the money,’ he added.

Mamun Howladar, executive engineer of the Sunamganj Water Development Board, said, ‘Due to the rainfall in Sunamganj and Cherapunji in India, the water level in the Surma River has flowed above the danger level. Although the water level in the river has decreased significantly due to reduced rainfall last night, the flood situation will worsen again if it rains.’

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