Sylhet airport closed for three days due to flood

Dhaka: Osmani International Airport in Sylhet suspended all flight operations due to flooding near the runway on June 17. No flight will depart to or take off from Sylhet Osmani International Airport for the next three days, said the airport authority.

Hafiz Ahmed, Manager of Sylhet Osmani International Airport, said this on June 17, adding the floodwaters had reached near the airport's runway. Hence, the airport will be closed for three days.

"This decision has been taken for now. The matter will be dealt with later after observing the situation," he added.

Sylhet and Sunamganj have been inundated since June 15 leaving at least 10 lac people marooned, according to the district administration.

Residents of the flood affected areas are suffering from the lack of drinking water, food, electricity and sanitary facilities.

Bangladesh Army joined the efforts to control the flood situation in Sylhet on June 17 at the request of the local authority. The Army has already started rescue operations in the area, according to reports.

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination that was due to start on June 19 has been postponed considering the deteriorating flood situation in the country.

Also, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet has been closed till June 25 too.