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TL;DR
- Severe flooding in the Sherpur district has resulted in three deaths and stranded approximately 60,000 people due to water inflow from India’s Meghalaya.
- The floods have affected Nalitabari, Jhinaigati, Nokla, and Sreebardi upazilas, submerging 122 villages across 20 unions.
- Rescue operations are ongoing with the army and local volunteers evacuating over 1,000 families to safer areas, and schools have been designated as temporary shelters.
- The Bhogai and Chellakhali rivers are flowing above danger levels, with breached embankments causing extensive damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure.
The flood situation in the Sherpur district has deteriorated significantly, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and leaving approximately 60,000 people stranded. The floods have affected three upazilas—Nalitabari, Jhinaigati, Nokla, and Sreebardi—submerging 122 villages across 20 unions. The calamity is attributed to heavy upstream water flow from India’s Meghalaya region, exacerbating the conditions in low-lying areas.
In Nalitabari upazila, three people, including a woman, lost their lives while seeking shelter. Nalitabari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Masud Rana confirmed these fatalities. Rescue operations are underway with the involvement of the army, local volunteers, and the fire service. Over 1,000 families have been evacuated to safer locations. In one notable rescue effort in Jhinaigati’s Dighirpar village, volunteers from Rapid Response BD (RRBD) saved a 3-month-old baby who had been placed on the ceiling of a house to escape rising waters.
The floods have submerged all unions in Nalitabari and Jhinaigati, destroying crops, livestock, poultry, and homes, leaving many farmers devastated. Roads remain submerged or damaged, causing severe disruption to local residents. The local administration has designated schools as temporary shelters and set up control rooms to coordinate relief efforts. UNO Masud Rana reported that Garkanda Government Primary School and Taraganj Women’s Madrasa have been opened as shelters.
The Bhogai and Chellakhali rivers in Nalitabari upazila are flowing above danger levels, according to Md. Nakibuzzaman Khan, executive engineer of the Water Development Board. Several embankments along these rivers have been breached, prompting emergency efforts to contain the damage.
Heavy rainfall over the past few days has compounded the situation. Sherpur recorded 225 mm of rainfall in a single day, contributing to the overflow of rivers and widespread flooding. The Water Development Board noted that if there is no further rain and weather conditions improve, the situation may normalize within two days. However, significant agricultural losses are anticipated due to the damage to Aman fields and vegetable crops.
Local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have prepared dry food for distribution among flood victims. The community remains resilient as rescue operations persist amidst challenging conditions.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
