Mintu Deshwara

When one of her cattle died contracting hoof-and-mouth disease some time back, Salma Akther had grown deeply worried over the future of her remaining herd of 19 animals.

Jasim Uddin, a resident of Hakaluki Haor, use to work as a mason before the floods drowned his house. But at present, after losing everything, he rents a boat for Tk 8,000 per month from Bhukshimoil area and rows day and night to earn his bread.

The yard and kitchen of Aparna Rani Das’s house in Gagra village, on the edge of Hakaluki haor in Moulvibazar’s Barlekha upazila, is submerged in knee-deep water since June 17.

Cattle farmers, particularly those from flood-hit areas, are in fear of incurring losses from the sale of sacrificial animals ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha due to flooding, rising prices of cattle feed and a lower number of customers.

“How much more can we take?”

The flood situation in the Sylhet division has left a destructive effect on the lives of its residents. Women and children are the worst victims as of yet, with severe health complications, especially, malnutrition.

Rearing cattle has always been easy for the people of haor areas in the country’s northeastern region due to ample supply of natural fodder like grass.

Thousands of people in 93 unions -- one-third of the total 336 in Sylhet division -- suffer immensely as no humanitarian aid could reach them as yet.

Shamim Ahmed, a young resident of Eklimnagar village in Sunamganj’s Chhatak upazila, has been stranded with no relief since the flood hit his home six days ago.

Md Raju Mia (35), a resident of Murshibadkura village in Talimpur union on the bank of Hakaluki Haor, and his family have been battling the floods for generations. But this year's flood, caused by incessant rain and water from upstream, has put them in a tough position.

“Sir, please note down my name. I have five daughters and we have been going hungry for two days.”

Around 30 families from the Tripura community, living on a hillock in Satchhari National Park area in Habiganj’s Chunarughat upazila, are in grave trouble. The only bridge connecting them to the mainland has collapsed due to the stormy winds and flood water flowing down the canal. As a result, they remain stranded on the hillock, unable to move to a safer region.

The floods wreaking havoc in the country’s northern and north-eastern districts may worsen as water levels in already overflowing rivers could continue to rise over the next two days, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre. 

A total of 55.2 mm rainfall was recorded in Moulvibazar in the last 24 hours. In urban areas, the flood water decreased slightly today (June 18, 2022) as compared to yesterday, but at least 40 villages of the district remain waterlogged due to incessant rain.

Low-lying areas of Habiganj city are inundated – causing immense people suffering – due to the incessant heavy rains, onrush of water from the hills and rising water in the rivers.

Residents of Chhatak, Bishwambarpur, Tahirpur and Dowarabazar upazilas of Sunamganj and Companiganj, Gowainghat upazilas of Sylhet, including the city corporation areas, are badly affected due to the ongoing heavy rain and flood.

Worsening floods in Sunamganj and Sylhet districts have resulted in power outages, closure of many schools as they have been turned into makeshift flood shelters, and vast areas being inundated, with locals saying the flood is worse than the ones they experienced in 1998 and 2004.  

In the last few years, 31 illegal brick kilns have been built within just 1.5 kilometres on both sides of Dhuliakhal-Mirpur regional road in Habiganj. Of them, only 15 are authorised, according to local union parishad chairman Saifuddin.

Following the devastating blast in the Sitakunda BM Depot, 22-year-old depot worker Al Amin went missing. His parents, living in Habiganj’s Bagerkhal village under Putizuri union, made repeated attempts to reach him over the phone, but failed.

“The last time I talked to my son was around 2:00pm on Saturday,” said Hasina Begum.