Sylhet Grapples with Flash Floods as Heavy Rains Batter Bangladesh

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Residents of Sylhet and surrounding districts are facing severe disruptions as heavy monsoon rains have triggered flash floods, inundating low-lying areas and affecting thousands of families. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued warnings for continued downpours over the next 48 hours, raising concerns about further damage to homes, roads, and agricultural land.

According to local officials, the Surma and Kushiyara rivers have risen above danger levels, breaching embankments in several places. Floodwaters have submerged at least 30 villages in Sylhet Sadar, Companiganj, and Gowainghat upazilas, forcing many residents to flee to higher ground. Emergency shelters have been opened by the district administration, with the army and navy deployed for rescue operations.

“We woke up to water entering our home at dawn. Everything is underwater now — our furniture, livestock, and food supplies,” said Fatima Begum, a resident of Ward No. 5 in Sylhet city, who moved to a nearby school building with her three children. “We have no idea when we can return.”

Authorities report that over 100,000 people have been affected by the flooding across Sylhet division. The Sylhet City Corporation has set up 25 relief centers, distributing dry food, drinking water, and medicine. However, many areas remain cut off due to damaged roads and bridges, complicating relief efforts.

“We are doing our best with the resources available, but the scale of the disaster is overwhelming,” said Md. Shafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet. “We have requested additional support from the central government and NGOs to ensure no one goes hungry or without medical care.”

The floods have also disrupted education in the region, with over 200 schools and madrasas closed indefinitely. Students preparing for upcoming exams face uncertainty. “I was supposed to take my SSC exam next month, but now I can't even access my textbooks,” said Rafiq Hasan, a 16-year-old student from Companiganj. “It is very frustrating.”

Agriculture, a key sector in Sylhet, has suffered significant losses. Paddy fields, vegetable gardens, and fish farms have been submerged, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of farmers. Preliminary estimates suggest crop damage worth millions of taka. “My entire betel leaf garden is ruined. That was my only source of income,” said Abdul Karim, a farmer in Jaintiapur.

Internationally, the flooding in Sylhet is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather affecting South Asia. Climate experts link the intensified monsoon rains to climate change, warning that such events may become more frequent and severe. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed concern and is monitoring the situation in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry has appealed for donations from the business community, while local volunteers are organizing fundraisers and collecting essential supplies. “We must stand together in this crisis,” said chamber president Shahjahan Khan. “Every contribution helps save lives.”

As the rain continues, residents brace for more challenges. The Sylhet Meteorological Office predicts that the downpour may ease by the weekend, but rivers are expected to remain high for several days. For now, the focus remains on rescue, relief, and recovery in one of Bangladesh's most vulnerable regions.