Flood batters 657km roads in Sylhet, Sunamganj

Around 657 kilometres of 153 roads in Sylhet and Suamganj have been submerged due to flood as the water of the river Surma and Kushiyara is still flowing above the danger level.

The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) are apprehending a huge loss in the road communication sector.

Officials of different government organisations that construct and manage roads said that they are yet to assess the financial loss. But the loss would be massive and it will take a long time to repair, they apprehended.

Meanwhile, the water level in the Surma and the Kushiyara rivers has reduced in the last 24 hours till this morning, but it is still flowing above the danger level.

At the same time, the water of the two other rivers—Puratan Surma in Sunamgaj's Derai and Someshwari in Netrokona's Kalmakanda -- crossed the danger level also.

Of the damaged road, 332km span of 121 roads under RHD and LGED and two culverts have gone underwater.

Photo: Sheikh Nasir/Star

Md Enamul Kabir, executive engineer of LGED in Sylhet, said, "Around 267km of 111 rural roads have been damaged due to the flood. But as the roads are still underwater, we are not being able to assess the financial loss."

Md Mostafizur Rahman, executive engineer of RHD in Sylhet, said, "In 10 major roads, 65-km span were submerged in the district and road communication through five has been snapped completely. We are apprehending more loss as the water level on two roads suddenly increased after a river-protection dyke collapsed in Zakiganj."

In Sunamganj, 325km span 32 roads inundated along with four culverts.

Md Ashraful Islam, executive engineer of RHD in Sunamganj, said, "We are waiting for the water to recede to assess the financial loss."

Md Mahbub Alam, executive engineer of LGED in Sunamganj, said, "The village roads have been damaged due to the flood. We have experienced damage in 155km area of 25 roads. Apart from these, another 100km submerged recently."

"Four culverts -- one each in Dowarabazar, Bishwambharpur, Tahirpur and Sadar upazilas -- collapsed during the flood and need reconstruction. It will take longer for reinstating the road communication," he said.

Meanwhile, Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) report says that the water level of Surma and Kushiyara reduced in the last 24 hours till 9:00 am today.

The Surma was flowing at 85cm above the danger level at Kanaighat point in Sylhet after reducing 13cm from yesterday.

At the same time, the river was flowing at 25cm above the danger level (13cm reduced from yesterday) at Sylhet city point and 2cm above the danger level at Sunamganj town point (14cm reduced than yesterday).

The Kushiyara at the same time was flowing at 156cm above the danger level (13cm reduced than yesterday) in Sylhet's Zakiganj upazilas' Amolshid point and 55cm above the danger level (3cm reduced than yesterday) at Beanibazar upazila's Sheola point.

Meanwhile, Puratan Surma in Sunamganj's Derai upazila crossed the danger level last night and was flowing at 8cm above the danger level at 9:00 am today. The Someshwari in Netrokona's Kalmakanda at the same time was flowing 4cm above the danger level.

Md Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, executive engineer of FFWC, said, "With the receding river water level in the Surma and the Kushiyara, the flood situation is improving in Sylhet and Sunamganj. However, the rivers, the downstream are swelling temporarily."