Sherpur bridge swept away as flash floods leave families stranded

Rural roads and transport links suffer extensive damage after days of heavy rain and hill runoff

Heavy rain and flash floods from upstream have swelled rivers across Sherpur, inundating vast areas and leaving many families stranded in Nalitabari and Jhenaigati Upazilas.

A Bailey bridge over the Chellakhali River in South Sannyasi Bhita of Baghber Union was swept away by strong currents on Monday.

A group of four people, including two children, narrowly escaped.

Water Development Board Executive Engineer Sudipta Chowdhury said the Chellakhali River was flowing 324cm above the danger level at 9am but had fallen to 24cm below it by 6pm.

Water levels in the Someshwari and Maharshi rivers also receded.

Residents said floodwaters severely damaged rural roads and transport links.

The bridge collapse cut off communication between several villages.

Traffic on the Sherpur-Nalitabari road via Gazirkhamar remained suspended after floodwaters submerged the Gollarpar area.

Riverbank erosion also hit Ayanpur and Karagaon, while floodwaters entered Jhenaigati's Sadar Bazar through an old breach.