Flash floods wash away 30 meters of road in sherpur

A 30-metre stretch of the Sherpur-Gazirkhamar-Nalitabari road has been washed away by strong currents from flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall and upstream runoff in Nalitabari upazila.

The damaged section became visible on Friday afternoon after the floodwater receded.

The road has narrowed following the erosion, forcing the suspension of medium and heavy vehicles. Only small vehicles are using the remaining section at considerable risk.

According to local sources, floodwater entered low-lying areas through a breached embankment at Gollarpar in Kalashpar Union. The same section was damaged by flooding two years ago but has not been repaired.

Over the past two days, the water level of the Chellakhali River rose above the danger level. However, with no rainfall on Friday, the water receded downstream, easing the immediate flood threat.

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board, 110 mm of rainfall was recorded in Nalitabari upazila and 106 mm at Nakugaon Land Port between Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning.

The BWDB said the Bhogai River was flowing 43 centimeters below the danger level, while the Chellakhali River had earlier flowed 206 centimeters above the danger level before receding on Friday.

Residents confirmed nearly 100 meters of the embankment at Gollarpar remain breached, allowing floodwater to enter nearby lowlands. 

They also said the damaged embankment has remained unrepaired for two years despite repeated erosion during the monsoon. 

Sherpur Deputy Commissioner Farida Yasmin and Nalitabari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Abdul Malek visited the affected area. Officials from the Local Government Engineering Department and the Bangladesh Water Development Board were also present.

MS/SA