Although flood situation in Sylhet and Sunamganj is improving in a slow pace, over 15 lakh people have been stranded in the two northwestern districts in Bangladesh, reports BSS.

Residents and officials of local administrations told the media that overall flood situation is in improving trend in both Sylhet and Sunamganj region as no significant rainfall was recorded in the past couple of days.

According to the local administration, 15,45,114 people have been marooned in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts as this year's second spell of flood submerged vast swaths of the two district creating huge suffering of the people.

Among the total people, who are marooned by flood water, 6.92 lakh people are in Sunamganj and 8.52 lakh people are in Sylhet, they added.

Officials of Sylhet district administration said the first spell of flood affected thousands of people in 13 upazilas and municipalities of Sylhet district in late May and the flash flood prolonged in the first week of the current month, leaving a large number of people marooned.

The authorities have set up 6,392 shelter centres after the second round of flood hit Sylhet and Sunamganj districts. As flood water started receding, people are going to home from shelter centres.

The Sunamganj district administration sources said flood water submerged 11 upazilas and Sunamgaj municipality.

Mayor of Sylhet City Corporation Anwaruzzaman Choudhury said, "Volunteer teams of city corporation are working to extend assistances for flood-hit people. We have arranged adequate amount of food at shelter centres."

A devastating flood, triggered by heavy rainfall and onrush water from hilly regions, have affected 20 lakh people in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, according to a statement of UNICEF issued on June 23.

The statement, signed by Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, read among 20 lakh flood affected people in two northeastern regions – Sylhet and Sunamganj - 7.72 lakh are children.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan