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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.)