Continuous heavy rainfall and sudden mountain runoff have caused severe flooding in Sherpur district, as the Chellakhali River swelled by 27.28 cm and the Bhogai River by 7.56 cm above the danger level.

Water from these two rivers overflowed on Friday, resulted in flooding the homes of residents in the nearby riverside villages.

According to the Water Development Board, rainfall was recorded at 177 mm in Sherpur and 255 mm and 260 mm at two points in Nalitabari until 10 AM.

The flood victims said that it rained continuously throughout Thursday night. Due to the continuous downpour, strong currents of water started flowing from Meghalaya, India, early Friday morning, causing the Chellakhali and Bhogai rivers to overflow suddenly. This resulted in flooding in at least 25 riverside villages, leaving at least 20,000 people stranded.

In addition, thousands of acres of Aman crops lands in these areas have also been submerged by the floodwaters. The flood submerged several fish farms, and several mud-walled houses, poultry farms and vegetable fields.

Meanwhile, several local roads were also inundated, cutting off the Baromari-Nanni-Sherpur road communication with the district town.

Sajibul Haque and Abdullah Munshi, residents of Andharupar village, said that early Friday morning, water suddenly overflowed from the riverbanks into their homes. Although they escaped with their lives, everything in their homes, including food supplies, was submerged. They mentioned that such a devastating flood had not occurred in the last 41 years.

Flood-affected people have taken shelter with their livestock on high roads, local markets, and school-college grounds. Many are without food, as their homes have been inundated. People are in a state of despair due to this sudden natural disaster, and they are demanding the use of speedboats and boats to rescue those trapped in the water.

Nalitabari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Md. Masud Rana, said that a sudden mountain runoff caused the flash flood in Nalitabari, resulting in significant damage to the residents.

The actual extent of the damage will be known once the floodwaters recede. He added that they are standing by the flood-affected people, distributing emergency dry food, and continuing rescue operations, he added.