THE FREQUENCY AND IMPACT OF FLOODING IN THE SYLHET DIVISION OF BANGLADESH: AN INVESTIGATION

Abstract

The recent flash floods in Sylhet and Haor areas this year were particularly devastating. In June 2022, the flash floods in Sylhet broke all the previous records in the country. In this terrible flood, about 90 percent of the area of the Sylhet division went underwater. This study investigated the impact of the recent flash flood of 2022, in the Haor areas of the Sylhet division. The impact of these disasters on human livelihoods and agriculture was identified using a mixed method (qualitative and quantitative analysis) approach from the field survey. Historical rainfall data (1970-2022) of Srimangal and Sylhet rain-gauge stations were collected from Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Field data were collected through four FGDs involving people of various sectors in the concerned areas. The study found one of the causes of the flash flood is the fact that 2017 and 2022 saw the biggest amounts of rainfall ever recorded, as well as abrupt, relatively significant rainfall over the summer. These flash floods happen because of heavy rainfall and hill slopes coming down from upstream, the sedimentation of canals and rivers, improper canal and river digging, and poor management of Sylhet city's drainage system. The research findings go into great detail regarding the local perspectives of the underlying problem, such as how crop damage results in increasing food shortages, rising poverty rates, debt, inequality, and uncertain livelihoods. Finally, a few potential solutions have been suggested in the study for minimizing the loss following such kinds of natural calamities.