Bonikbarta Exclusive

Floods have devastated 13 districts, primarily in southern Bangladesh, leaving millions of people stranded. Triggered by days of heavy rainfall and water surges from India, the situation has become increasingly dire. Two people have drowned in the floods, one in Feni and another in Brahmanbaria. According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, conditions in most districts are expected to improve by Saturday (August 24).

In a related development, India has opened the Dumbur Hydroelectric Power Project’s gate in Tripura, causing a rapid rise in water levels in the bordering regions of Bangladesh, according to local residents.

The affected districts include Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Chattogram, Khagrachari, Barishal, Rangamati, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj. Millions of people in these districts are rushing to shelters. Local authorities have quickly converted many schools and colleges into temporary shelters. Law enforcement agencies and various volunteer organizations are assisting in the rescue operations. The Fire Service has initiated emergency services to aid those affected by the floods.

Yesterday (August 21), K M Ali Reza, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, announced in a press release that water levels in the major rivers of northeastern and eastern Bangladesh are rising. The Kushiyara, Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, Muhuri, Feni, and Halda rivers are flowing over the danger levels at seven stations. With continued heavy rain and water pressure from upstream, several low-lying districts are at further risk of flooding.

Sardar Uday Raihan, the Executive Engineer of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, told the media, “The flood situation is likely to stabilize in many areas within three days.”

Several international news outlets have reported worsening flood conditions in India’s Tripura state, where the authorities confirmed seven deaths as of yesterday (August 21). In response, Tripura has opened the 'Dumbur Gate'. Tarit Kanti Chakma, the District Commissioner of Gomati, Tripura, shared this information on his official 'X' account.

In Bangladesh, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center reported yesterday (August 21) evening that water levels in the Khowai, Dhalai, Muhuri, Halda, and Kushiyara rivers are rising rapidly.

Among the 13 affected districts, Feni is facing the worst situation. Describing the condition in the Chhagalnaiya Upazila, volunteer Azizur Rahman Rizvi told Bonik Barta, “Many houses are submerged. Rescue operations in these areas are impossible due to the strong currents. Rescue operations are not possible without helicopters.”

He added, “Currently, rescuing people is more urgent than distributing relief. There is no one here except the army. Although we, the volunteers, are ready, the situation is preventing us from starting our work. I live in Feni Sadar, where the water is up to the neck.”

In Feni’s Fulgazi Upazila, a young man named Md. Raju died while fishing in the floodwaters. He was the son of Mizanur Rahman from the Sadar Union.

In the Sylhet division’s Habiganj district, several areas have been submerged. The situation there is expected to worsen. Water levels in the Khowai and Kushiyara rivers have crossed the danger levels at various points, creating panic among residents along the riverbanks. They have been working through the night to prevent embankments from collapsing. In some areas, water from previously damaged embankments in Jalalabad has caused new floods.

In Begumganj Upazila of Noakhali, all schools and madrasas in the Chayani Union have been converted into flood shelters. Volunteer Zakir Hossain told Bonik Barta, “So far, about 100 families have taken refuge in schools and madrasas. We are rescuing many people trapped by the floodwaters, while others are arriving on their own. As the number of sheltered people rises rapidly, there may be a food shortage.”

Meanwhile, continuous rain over the past four days has caused water levels in the Chengi and Maini rivers to rise above danger levels, leading to the fourth flood of the season in Khagrachari district. By yesterday (August 21) evening, over 50 villages had been submerged. With roads in the Baghaichari area underwater, more than 200 tourists are stranded in Sajek. Several areas in Khagrachari Sadar, Dighinala, and Merung Unions have been flooded. Communication with Longadu from across the country has been cut off as the headquarters area of the Dighinala-Longadu road is submerged. The Khagrachari Municipal Administrator, Nazmun Ara Sultana, informed the media, “12 tons of food grains have been allocated for flood victims. 2,550 packets of dry food have already been distributed.

The Fire Service’s hotline number (102) and the regular phone number of the Central Control Room (02223355555) will remain operational for any assistance in the flood-affected areas. For continuous contact with the monitoring cell, people can call (01713-038181). The national emergency services hotline (999) can also be used for contacting the Fire Service.

The Water Development Board has canceled all leaves for its employees in the flood-affected districts. A control room has been opened to monitor the flood situation, and assistance can be requested by calling 01318234962, 01765405576, 01559728158, or 01674356208.

In Brahmanbaria, the Akhaura land port has been submerged due to the mountain floods, affecting at least 30 nearby villages. The temporary bridge has collapsed, disrupting traffic on the Akhaura-Agartala road. Additionally, a pregnant woman named Shuborna Akter (25), drowned in the floodwaters. She was the wife of Parvez Mia of Birchandrapur village.

Md. Tajul Islam, the Sub-Assistant Engineer of the Barishal Water Development Board, reported that water levels in 12 rivers in the southern region are flowing above danger levels.

In Lakshmipur district, hundreds of thousands of people in the coastal areas of Sadar, Ramgati, Kamalnagar, and Raipur Upazilas have been trapped by floodwaters. Waterlogging has also occurred in urban areas. Floods have submerged fish enclosures and ponds. Seedbeds have also been damaged.

In Chattogram’s Mirsharai, around 50,000 families are trapped by floodwaters. Fish enclosures have been submerged. Around 17 hectares of Aman seedbeds and 12 hectares of vegetable fields have been ruined. Waterlogging has occurred in various areas, including Hinguli, Korerhat, Baraiahat Municipality, Jorarganj, Osmanpur, Ichakhali, Katachhara, Durgapur, Mithanala, Khoiyachora, and Wahedpur.

(This report was prepared with contributions from correspondents in Feni, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Rangamati, Khagrachari, Barishal, Cumilla, and Lakshmipur.)