Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 18, 2026

Derai

Derai is a town and municipal corporation in Derai Upazila of Sunamganj District in northeastern Bangladesh, and forms part of the Sylhet Division. This region is particularly known for its extensive wetland ecosystems that play a crucial role in the local environment and economy. The topography of Derai is largely low-lying, making it susceptible to seasonal flooding. The economy of Derai is predominantly agrarian, with agriculture and fishing being the main sources of income for the majority of the population.

Last revised
Jun 18, 2026
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≈ 3 min
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Wikipedia ↗
Derai
দিরাই
Town and Municipality
Derai
Coordinates: 25°2′N 91°40′E / 25.033°N 91.667°E / 25.033; 91.667
CountryBangladesh
DivisionSylhet Division
DistrictSunamganj
UpazilaDerai Upazila
Municipality1999
Government
 • MayorBisawjeet Roy
Area
 • Total
6.5 km2 (2.5 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
22,680
 • Density3,489/km2 (9,040/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+6 (BST)
Websitewww.deraipaurashava.gov.bd
Derai Municipality mahallah geocode map source ↗

Derai (Bengali: দিরাই, romanized: Dirai) is a town and municipal corporation in Derai Upazila of Sunamganj District in northeastern Bangladesh, and forms part of the Sylhet Division. This region is particularly known for its extensive wetland ecosystems that play a crucial role in the local environment and economy. The topography of Derai is largely low-lying, making it susceptible to seasonal flooding. The economy of Derai is predominantly agrarian, with agriculture and fishing being the main sources of income for the majority of the population.

History

Derai was previously known as Babaganj Bazar. It was home to two influential Hindu residents; Jitarāma and Dvidarāma, who renamed the area to Derai Bazar. On 10 December 1892, an Assam Gazette notification recognised the name of the area as Derai. In 1938, the Nankar Rebellion started in Derai and surrounding areas. Derai was made the headquarters of a namesake thana in 1942 and the capital of the namesake upazila in 1982.1

Geography

Derai Sarmangal is a town and municipal corporation in Derai Upazila of Sunamganj District in northeastern Bangladesh, and forms part of the Sylhet Division.2 The region is characterized by its numerous haors, which are large, saucer-shaped depressions or inland lakes that are extensively flooded during the monsoon season and form vast sheets of water. These wetlands are a dominant feature of the landscape.34 It covers an area of 420.93 km2 (162.52 sq mi).5 Derai Municipality is subdivided into nine wards and 29 mahallas.6

Demographics

According to the Population and Housing Census 2022 conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Derai municipality had a population of 32,154 which includes 17,063 males and 15,091 females.7 The total population of Derai Upazila was 269,726 people with the male population at 136,134 and the female population at 133,592. The literacy rate (7 years and above) in Derai was 69.83%.8

Agriculture remains primary livelihood. The extensive haor system supports extensive rice cultivation and freshwater fishery, providing significant income and food resources for a large portion of the population in the region.3 The Derai Upazila Health Complex has limited healthcare facilities.910

References

References

  1. Chanda, Jiban Kumar (2012). "Derai Upazila". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  2. "Union Parishad - Sunamganj". Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). Archived from the original on 8 October 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  3. "Exploring Derai: The Charming Upazila of Sunamganj". Dtdouk. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  4. "Haor". Amar Haor. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  5. "Derai". Sunamganj. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  6. "District Statistics 2011: Sunamganj" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  7. "Derai Municipality". Sunamganj. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  8. "Population and Housing Census 2022: District Report Sunamganj" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  9. "50-bed Derai Upazila Health Complex details". Doctorspedia. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  10. "Facility idle due to lack of staff". The Daily Star. Retrieved 17 June 2025.