Tk 1,238cr lost to flood in Sylhet

Flash floods in Sylhet last month caused a financial loss of about Tk 1,238 crore, claimed six lives and displaced around 3.68 lakh people.

About 2,718sq km area of 92 unions and wards of the district's 13 upazilas wasseriously affected by the deluge, according to the assessment report prepared by the District Relief and Rehabilitation Centre.

Heavy rains in the country's north-eastern region and onrush of water from upstream Indian states of Assam and Meghalaya caused the flooding, which badly damaged roads, dams, crops and houses.

In a bid to take up short and long-term programmes to address the loss, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has taken an initiative to prepare damage assessment reports on 17 flood-affected districts.

The Daily Star has obtained a copy of the assessment report on Sylhet district. The deputy commissioner of Sylhet has approved the report and sent it to the DDM, said sources.

Floods completely damaged 2,072 thatched houses in the district's six upazilas and partially damaged another 34,175. About Tk 122.80 crore is needed to rebuild and repair those, reads the report.

Another Tk 90.81 crore is required for repair of 9,019 semi-pucca houses damaged partially, it adds.

Floodwaters swept away 886 cattle worth about Tk 77.3 lakh and about 48,000 poultry worth Tk 1.45 crore.

The devastating flood has also damaged cropland and seedbeds.

Data shows the damage to 18,940 hectares of cropland in Sylhet caused an estimated financial loss of Tk 115.44 crore. The deluge also inundated seedbeds, causing financial damages of Tk 22.98 crore.

Many power stations were submerged in the flooding, causing disruptions in electricity supplies to many parts of Sylhet.

The report shows the deluge affected 253km power lines in nine upazilas.

Floods destroyed about 3,388km road worth around Tk 357.24 crore and damaged 442 bridges and culverts.

About 188.66km of embankments were also damaged in the river and haor areas of Sylhet.