Sylhet Residents Protest Over Water Shortage Amid Rising Temperatures

Sylhet, Bangladesh — Residents across the northern district of Sylhet have launched a series of protests this week, demanding immediate government intervention to address a worsening water shortage exacerbated by prolonged heatwaves and declining groundwater levels.

The crisis, described as the worst in over a decade by local officials, has affected thousands of households in both urban and rural areas. In the city center, where water supply is partially managed by municipal authorities, residents have reported intermittent service for up to 18 hours a day. In remote villages such as Kanaighat and Balaganj, many families now rely on water tankers, which are often delayed or unavailable.

Local authorities attribute the crisis to a combination of factors, including reduced rainfall during the monsoon season, over-extraction of groundwater for agriculture, and aging water infrastructure. The Sylhet Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (SWSA) confirmed that groundwater levels have dropped by nearly 40% compared to last year, with some borewells now dry.

“We used to get water from our own wells for daily use,” said Ayesha Begum, a 52-year-old homemaker from the village of Durgapur. “Now, even our wells are empty. We walk miles just to fetch water from a single public tap.”

The protests began on Monday in the heart of Sylhet City, where dozens of residents gathered outside the district administration office. They carried banners reading ‘Water is Life’ and ‘No Water, No Future,’ calling for emergency measures including the installation of new borewells, repair of damaged pipelines, and a temporary halt to water-intensive farming practices in the region.

In response, the Sylhet Divisional Commissioner, Md. Shafiqul Islam, announced a series of short-term measures, including the deployment of 15 additional water tankers and the activation of a 24-hour helpline for reporting water-related issues. He also pledged that a long-term water management plan would be developed within the next 60 days.

Environmental experts warn that without systemic reforms, the situation could deteriorate further. Dr. Farid Ahmed, a hydrologist at the Bangladesh Water Development Board, noted that Sylhet’s water crisis reflects broader climate vulnerabilities across the country. “This is not just a local issue,” he said. “It’s a symptom of climate change, unsustainable water use, and inadequate urban planning. If we don’t act now, we risk a full-scale water emergency in the coming years.”

The crisis has also drawn attention from national policymakers. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during a recent cabinet meeting, emphasized the need for coordinated action across ministries to strengthen water security in vulnerable regions. She directed the Ministry of Water Resources to fast-track the implementation of the National Water Policy and allocate additional funds for infrastructure upgrades in Sylhet and similar districts.

Meanwhile, local civil society groups have begun organizing community-led water conservation initiatives. In several villages, residents are constructing rainwater harvesting systems and promoting water-saving techniques in households and farms.

As temperatures continue to rise, with recent readings reaching 41 degrees Celsius, the urgency for sustainable solutions has never been greater. For now, Sylhet’s residents remain hopeful that coordinated efforts at the local and national levels will bring lasting relief to a region under growing strain.

The situation remains fluid, with authorities monitoring water levels daily and preparing contingency plans for potential emergencies.