Continuous heavy rain and flash floods have inundated over 200 villages across five upazilas in Sherpur district. Residents are facing one of the worst flood situations in 35 years. So far, the floods have claimed seven lives. While floodwaters have slightly receded in Nalitabari and Jhinaigati upazila centers as of Sunday (October 6), low-lying areas remain submerged. Communication between Nalitabari and Dhaka has been cut off as roads were washed away. Additionally, six more unions in Sherpur Sadar and Nokla upazilas have been flooded.
Local sources report that heavy rainfall and runoff from upstream have caused the Maharshi and Someshwari rivers to flow above danger levels. Hundreds of homes have been submerged, leaving over 1.5 lakh people trapped. All government schools in Jhinaigati and Nalitabari have been designated as shelters. Locals claim that they have not seen such severe flooding in decades. The Maharshi River embankment broke, causing widespread flooding in several unions, including Jhinaigati, Rameshkura, and Khanduli.
The army, fire service, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and volunteer organizations are working to rescue stranded people. Speedboats, boats, rafts, and tubes have been deployed in the ongoing rescue mission. Dry food and other relief supplies are being distributed to flood victims. Local political groups and the upazila administration are also participating in the relief efforts.
As per the Water Development Board, rivers such as Someshwari, Karnajhora, Maharshi, Bhogai, and Chellakhali are flowing above danger levels. If the rain continues, the flood situation may worsen. Thousands of new people are being affected as more villages are submerged. Nearly 50,000 people in three upazilas are still trapped. Farmers are facing significant losses as around 20,000 hectares of Aman paddy and 1,500 hectares of vegetables have been destroyed.
The Sherpur District Agriculture Department has reported that over 50,000 farmers have been severely affected. The district’s Deputy Commissioner, Tarafder Mahmudur Rahman, confirmed that water levels in three rivers are still flowing above danger levels. Five fatalities have been confirmed so far, and rescue efforts are underway to distribute dry food to the flood-affected people. Authorities are also monitoring newly flooded areas and assessing damage to crops and infrastructure.