Over 200 villages in 28 unions across five upazilas of Sherpur have been flooded, leaving more than 150,000 people stranded

A Correspondent Sherpur:

Incessant rainfall in Sherpur has deteriorated the flood situation, with river levels rising and more areas being submerged.

Since the flood began on 4 October, seven deaths have been reported so far, and many people remain missing.

From Sunday morning, intermittent rainfall has been ongoing across Sherpur, exacerbating the hardships of flood victims. New areas are being inundated by floodwaters.

According to the Water Development Board, the water level of the Bhogai River in Nalitabari upazila has receded but is still flowing 51cm above the danger level, while the water level of the Chellakhali River has also decreased but remains 185cm above the danger level.

Local administration, along with volunteer organisations and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), is actively involved in rescuing people stranded by the floodwaters. Since Saturday morning, army personnel have also joined the rescue operations in Nalitabari.

Meanwhile, six more unions in Sherpur Sadar and Nakla upazilas have been flooded since Sunday morning. Reports are emerging of new areas being submerged. Due to the continuous flow of water from upstream, the Maharshi, Someshwari, Chellakhali, Bhogai and Mrigi rivers are all flowing above the danger level, significantly worsening the overall flood situation in Sherpur. So far, over 200 villages in 28 unions across five upazilas of Sherpur have been flooded, leaving more than 150,000 people stranded.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Nakla Police Station Habibur Rahman said one person died in Nakla on Saturday night, while five deaths were reported in Nalitabari upazila and one in Jhenaigati.

District Fisheries Officer Pronab Kumar Karmakar said about 2,057 fish enclosures in Jhenaigati and Nalitabari upazilas have been washed away, with an estimated initial loss of over Tk11 crore.

Sources at the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said at least 30,000 hectares of Aman paddy and 1,000 hectares of vegetable crops have been damaged, affecting at least 70,000 farmers.

Sherpur District Education Officer Md Rezwan said, “Schools being used as shelters will remain closed for the next few days, while regular classes will continue in areas unaffected by the flooding. The exact number of closed schools will be confirmed by this evening.”