S A Shofiee, Sylhet

Tourism industry in Sylhet has collapsed due to frequent floods. Moreover Sylhet is a natural daughter of nature without many tourists due to floods.

Tourism traders say that the loss in this sector has exceeded tk 500 crore. The largest number of tourists is during Eid. Even in the busy season of Eid-ul-Azha, the desired tourists did not come to Sylhet.

According to the information of the Water Development Board, on May 29 heavy rains and landslides caused the first flood situation in Sylhet. After June 8, the situation became somewhat normal. The second blow of the flood came on June 16. That day, two upazilas bordering Sylhet fell under the influence of floods due to landslides. Floods gradually occurred in 13 upazilas of the district including urban areas. On June 19, heavy rains and landslides caused flooding in those upazilas. On June 25, the flood situation began to improve somewhat. However, since July 1, the flood situation has become serious due to the increase in river water.

According to Sylhet Hotel Motel Resort Owners Association, there are more than five hundred hotels and motels in the district, most of which are still empty. As floods started on the day of Eid, the administration banned entry to tourist centers. Since then, tourists did not go to Sylhet due to frequent floods. There was hope of tourist gathering ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, but it was not fulfilled due to floods. On the other hand, the tourism industry is going through a drought even in the full season. Those involved in tourism have to count the losses every day.

President of Sylhet Hotel Motel and Guest House Owners Association Sumayat Noori jewel told "Tourists did not go to Sylhet due to frequent floods. No guest came to my hotel during Eid-ul-Azha. The hotel room booking was absolutely zero. Such a situation has never happened before during the Eid season. Several days of Eid have passed. The flood water is also receding. Despite this, tourists are not seen. If this continues, the business will suffer.

President of SCCI Tahmin Ahmad said, 'Tourism is not only about hotels, but many things are involved. It also involves transportation, restaurants, shopping malls and boats. That is, where the tourist will go, financial matters are involved. It has affected all sectors due to lack of tourists. Due to floods, the loss in the tourism sector has exceeded 500 crore rupees.

Companyganj is the main stone quarry of Sylhet. Stone quarrying has been stopped there and the place called Sada Pathar bordering Meghalaya State has been declared as a tourist center. Every day thousands of people flock there for entertainment. The flood waters have started receding. The white rocks are slowly floating, but tourists are still not seen.

Abidur Rahman, president of Companyganj Tourist Club, said that tourism has suffered a lot due to floods. Even though the water started to recede, the tourists did not start coming. For several months, white stone-centered businesses are closed. It has caused a loss of several crores of rupees.

On the other hand, Sylhet city tourist center is one of Asia's wetlands, Ratargul. Even though it is full season, the tourist traffic has not increased yet. Not only the nights, but the entire tourism sector has come to a standstill due to the floods.

President of Sylhet Tourism Club Humayun Kabir Liton said, "Due to the floods, the roads leading to the tourist centers have been damaged by the floods. They need to be reformed. Otherwise many tourist centers will lose tourists. The flood waters have started receding. After hearing the news, some people are coming to visit, but the tourist centers have not yet returned to normal.

Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Sheikh Russel Hasan said, "Due to the flood, all sectors of industry and trade have been damaged in one way or another. Now emphasis is being placed on standing by the flood victims. The water did not go down completely. People are staying in shelters. The executive officers of tourism-rich upazilas have been instructed to ensure security. I hope that the tourist centers will become popular again soon