Dams damaged as rain waters trigger floods

Bangla Dykes, dams damaged as rain waters trigger floods

Thousands of people were affected and crops damaged when the Surma river in Bangladesh's northeastern tea-growing district turned violent at the weekend after heavy monsoon rains, an official said today.

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"A dyke and a dam on the Surma river gave way and floodwaters gushed out," M. Kamaluddin, an official in northeastern Sylhet district, said by telephone.

The rain had eased today but Kamaluddin warned that "fresh rains can cause new problems."

Flash foods also affected some of the estimated 25,000 people in the Kanaighat, Bianibazar and Zakiganj areas of Sylhet district, 192 kilometers northeast of the capital Dhaka.

Several thousand more were also struggling with sudden rain-triggered deluges in neighbouring Habiganj district, officials said.

"We are yet to have details of damage to property or crops," Kamaluddin said.

Faruq Zahir, Sylhet's deputy administrative chief, told AFP that the sudden floods lasted for several hours after heavy rains hit the lowlands.

The floods were normal for this time of year, he said.

"I can confirm to you this is normal for the rainy season in this district and the situation is not serious," he said.

Tropical Bangladesh's four-month full monsoon starts in July when the average monthly rainfall varies from 1,194 mm to 3,454 mm.