Rain dampens polls festivity in Sylhet
With no formidable opponents in sight, rain has emerged as the major hurdle for Sylhet Awami League, which may result in a low voter turnout at the city corporation polls scheduled for today.
There's a forecast of mid to heavy rainfall in Sylhet region today, according to the Met office.
With rain persisting since June 15 and the Surma flowing just below danger level, concerns are mounting over a potential interim flood situation in low-lying areas of the city.
As the rain persists, the playground of Moiarchar Government Primary School, designated as a polling centre for ward-39, has already gone underwater.
Similarly, Nasiba Khatun High School in Bhartakhala area found itself submerged for a few hours following a heavy rainfall on Monday.
The prospect of heavy rain and potential flooding may deter residents from venturing out of their homes, contributing to a potential decline in voter turnout.
Meanwhile, a group of locals, in support of councillor candidates, have been paving bricks and filling sand on the ground leading to the polling centres, in an effort to provide a stable pathway for voters to navigate through the potential waterlogging caused by the continuous rainfall.
Additionally, the group is setting up a cover in one corner of the centre to provide shelter for voters in the event of rain.
Borhan Uddin, a member of this group, said, "We are trying our best to make the centre accessible even if it rains."
Shah Md Shajib, assistant meteorologist of Sylhet Met office, said, "It rained 43 millimetres from 6:00am to 3:00pm yesterday, and there is a forecast of heavy rainfall today."
Meanwhile, the Surma river is flowing 44 centimetres below the danger level at the Sylhet city point. However, upstream at Kanaighat upazila in the district, the river has surpassed the danger level by 10 centimetres, leading to concerns about potential flooding in the region, according to data from the Flood Warning Centre in Sylhet.
In light of the waterlogged roads and difficulties faced by people in commuting, candidates have begun renting rickshaws to provide transportation for voters if the weather worsens.
Manik Miah, a rickshaw-puller from Temukhi area, said, "Many roads in the villages are waterlogged, and it is hard for people to commute. Me and nine others have already been rented by a councillor candidate to carry voters to the polling station."
Also, the Awami League election management committee has distributed umbrellas among party activists.
The mayoral candidate of AL Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury expressed his hope for favourable weather on polling day (today), but emphasised the readiness of their activists to assist voters in adverse conditions.
"Our activists will be there to assist voters to reach the polling centres, and we are urging everyone to vote even if the weather is not favourable," he said.
Contacted, Faysal Kadir, the returning officer of the polls, said, "Necessary steps will be taken depending on the situation."
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