Flash floods triggered by ceaseless rains and an onrush of waters from upstream India have inundated five upazilas of Sylhet district.

The low-lying areas of these upazilas have been flooded due to heavy rains in the bordering Meghalaya of India, causing immense sufferings of people.

Gowainghat and Jaintiapur upazilas are the worst hit, followed by Kanaighat, Companiganj and Zakiganj.

In face of the sudden floods, the district administration already opened shelters in the affected areas, with the highest 56 shelters in Gowainghat upazila.

The water level was dangerously high in Rustampur, Lengura, Daubar, Nandirgao, Purbo and Pashchim Alirgaon, Pashchim Jaflong, and Madhya Jaflong in Gowainghat on Thursday.

Besides, the Salutikar-Gowainhat road was submerged, disrupting communication with the upazila headquarters.

In Jaintapur upazila, the low-lying areas of Nijpat Lamapura, Bandarhati, Moynahhati, Jangalhati, Borkhela, Meghli, Tilkaipada, Fulbari, Nayabari, Horni, Bairakhel, Goabari, Dbir Haor, Ghilatil, Muktapur, Biraimara Haor, Kharubil, Lamanigram, Katakhali, Baurbhag and Baon Haor have been flooded.

Many areas of Companiganj and Kanaighat upazilas have also been flooded. Rural roads have been submerged, disrupting communication in many places.

Sylhet’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mobarak Hossain said shelters were opened in Gowainghat, Jaintapur, Companiganj, and Kanaighat upazilas.

According to the latest news, people started taking shelter in some shelters in Gowainghat. The district administration has taken all necessary preparations to deal with the flash flood situation. All upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) have been instructed to monitor the situation round the clock.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the Surma River was flowing 166cm above the danger level at Sylhet’s Kanaighat point at 9:00am of Thursday, while the Kushiyara was flowing 202cm above the danger mark at Zakiganj’s Amolshid point.

Besides, the Sarigowain River was flowing 95cm above the danger level at Jaintiapur’s Sarighat area.

So far, 355mm rainfall was recorded at Gowainghat’s Jaflong point and 150mm at Jaintiapur’s Lalakhal point until 9:00am, according to the BWDB.