Photo: Collected Nearly 4 lakh people in five upazilas of Feni are
experiencing the worst flood in living memory. In some areas, saving lives has
become the primary concern, overshadowing efforts to protect property. Road
communication is nearly cut off, and there is no electricity. Mobile networks
and internet services are also down. The intense mountain runoff and continuous
rainfall are hampering rescue operations. Locals report that the people of Feni
have never seen such high water levels in several generations.
In addition to Feni, ten other districts face severe
flooding. The sudden flood has affected 357 unions in these districts, leaving
at least 4 lakh and 40 thousand families stranded. Nearly 3 million people are
currently displaced. In the past two days, there have been reports of nine
deaths. The country's southeastern region is facing a transportation crisis due
to the flood, with 26 train services canceled and approximately two kilometers
of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway submerged. Many hospitals have been inundated,
leading to a breakdown in healthcare services in several flood-affected areas.
Water has also entered six power substations in the affected regions. The army
has been deployed for rescue operations in Feni, Chattogram, Cumilla,
Brahmanbaria, Habiganj, and Moulvibazar, while the Coast Guard, Border Guard
Bangladesh (BGB), Fire Service, and various volunteer organizations are also
working to assist the flood victims.
In Feni's Fulgazi, Parshuram, Chhagalnaiya, Feni Sadar,
and Daganbhuiyan, nearly 95 percent of the area is submerged. Abdul Kayyum from
Bir Chandranagar village in Parshuram says, "The water stream is so strong
that saving lives has become the main priority over protecting property."
Amjad Hossain, who has taken shelter with his family at a
hotel in Feni City after fleeing from Mirzangar in Parshuram, shares his
harrowing experience, "I witnessed a night of terror, the cries of people,
and the devastating force of the flood. We were forced to leave our home with
just a few pieces of clothing as our only belongings."
Mohammad Rahim, from Shalddhar village in Parshuram, says
that most of the single-story houses in the area have been submerged, and there
is no suitable place left for shelter.
Mohammad Shahidullah from Anandpur Union says,
"Although floods occur yearly in Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas due to
mountain runoff, I have never seen such a flood before. Water has entered
almost every house and dwelling in these three upazilas."
Akbar Hossain from Omarabad village in Daganbhuiyan says,
"With my family, I have left home and taken shelter elsewhere, leaving
only essential documents in someone else's care. The water has submerged our
house and everything around us."
Feni's District Commissioner, Shahina Akhter, states,
"Over 4 lakh people in the flood-affected areas are stranded. There is no
electricity or mobile network there."
Meteorologists say that the severe flood has been
primarily caused by continuous rainfall, a low-pressure system over the sea,
and unusually high tidal waters during the full moon. However, rainfall is
expected to decrease today, and the flood situation should gradually improve.
Interim Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called all
advisors to stand by the flood victims. The Chief Advisor's Press Secretary,
Shafiqul Alam, announced this to the media yesterday afternoon. He said,
"A cabinet meeting was held regarding the flood, which I attended. There
was an extensive discussion on the matter. During the meeting, Sir urged
everyone to support the flood-affected people."
On Thursday afternoon, the Ministry of Disaster
Management and Relief updated the flood situation. It was reported that 357
unions in 50 upazilas of Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khagrachari, Noakhali,
Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Brahmanbaria were affected by the flood. Additionally,
there have been reports of flood damage in Cox's Bazar, Chandpur, and
Rangamati.
KM Ali Reza, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of
Disaster Management and Relief, stated, "4 lakhs 40 thousand 840 families
in eight districts are stranded due to the flood, affecting a total of around
2.9 million people. Two deaths have been reported—one in Feni and the other in
Brahmanbaria." Additionally, there have been reports of seven more deaths
in Cox's Bazar and Rangamati.
In response, a 24/7 control room has been set up at the
Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Information and assistance can be
obtained by calling 0255101115. For support from the Ministry of Water
Resources, call 01318234560.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Center has reported
that heavy to hefty rainfall has led to a worsening of the flood situation in
the low-lying areas of Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Cumilla, and Chattogram
districts over the past 24 hours. In the next 24 hours, heavy rainfall may
decrease in the northeastern and adjacent upstream regions of the country, as
well as in the southeastern, eastern, and adjacent upstream areas. The flood
situation in the low-lying areas along the Manu, Khowai, and Dhalai rivers in
Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts in the northeastern region is expected to
stabilize initially and then improve.
Due to several days of heavy rainfall, hundreds of
thousands of people in five upazilas of Lakshmipur have been stranded. The
affected upazilas include Lakshmipur Sadar, Cumilla Nagar, Ramgati, Raypur, and
Ramganj.
Residents of Char Pagla village in Cumilla Nagar Upazila,
Mohammad Noman Hossain, Roshia Begum, Minoyara Begum, Swapna, and Heju Bypari
report that they have never seen such a severe flood. All the fish in the ponds
have been swept away, and most of the houses have been submerged.
The district administration has reported that nearly 6
lakh people in five upazilas are stranded due to the flood. A total of 189
shelter centers have been opened.
In Akhaura Upazila, bordering Brahmanbaria, the flood
situation has worsened. Since Wednesday (August 21) night, water levels have
risen, inundating more than 34 villages in the North, South, Mogra, and
Maniyand unions. On Wednesday, the flood claimed the life of a pregnant woman
named Suborna Akhtar (25) in this upazila.
The water level in the Gomti River in Cumilla continues
to rise. Thousands of people in the upazilas of Chauddagram, Laksam, and
Nangalkot are now stranded. Farmlands, residential homes, and livestock farms
have been submerged. Water has also reached the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. A man
named Keramat Mia, an elderly resident of Majumdar House in the North Ward of
Daudpur municipality in Nangalkot, has died due to the floodwaters.
Due to a record 158 millimeters of continuous rainfall,
new areas in Chattogram's Sitakunda, Mirsharai, Fatikchhari, Rauzan, Rangunia,
Hathazari, Patiya, Boalkhali, and Karnaphuli upazilas have been flooded. Over 1
lakh people in 31 unions across these upazilas are now stranded. Flooding has
also affected Chattogram City. A total of 239 shelter centers have been opened
in the district for the flood victims.
The situation is most critical in the four unions of
Mirsharai Upazila. With the Feni River exceeding its danger level, water has
entered nearly every residential home. The affected unions are Korarhat,
Hinguli, Jorarganj, and Dhum.
The flood situation has worsened in the hill district of
Khagrachari as well. Thousands of families are stranded in nine upazilas of the
district. Heavy rainfall yesterday caused mountain runoff to flood the
low-lying areas of the city. Additionally, water levels have risen in
Lemuchhari, Maischhari, and 24-mile areas of Mahalchhari, cutting off
communication on the Khagrachari-Rangamati road.
Continuous rainfall and mountain runoff have caused
flooding in various areas of Moulvibazar. Yesterday, the water levels in the
Manu, Dhala, and Kushiara rivers were flowing above the danger level. In
Kamalganj Upazila, the Dhala River, and in Kulaura and Rajnagar upazilas,
several points along the Manu River have seen breaches in the embankments.
In the past 24 hours, new areas in Habiganj have been
inundated. Nearly 1000 families are now stranded across the nine upazilas in
the district.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Noakhali are suffering
due to being stranded by floodwaters. The floodwaters from Feni have entered
Noakhali via the Muhuri River, exacerbating the situation. This has led to new
flooding in several areas of Senbagh, Companyganj, and Kabirhat upazilas.
Overall, seven upazilas in Noakhali are submerged, leaving hundreds of
thousands of people stranded. Significant damage has occurred to Boro rice
fields, fish farms, and poultry farms.
Two people have died in Ramu Upazila of Cox's Bazar due
to mountain runoff. The deceased are Amjad Hossain from East Jumchhari in
Gorzunia Union and Chaching Rakhine (55) from Baidyarpara in Eidgaon Union.
Ramu Police Station's Officer-in-Charge Abu Taher Dewan has confirmed the
deaths and the reports of missing persons.
Continuous rainfall and mountain runoff have caused
flooding in the low-lying areas of at least 20 unions in Pekua and Chakaria in
Cox's Bazar. Approximately 1 lakh people are stranded. The water level in the
Matamuhuri River is flowing above the danger level.
In the hill district of Rangamati, the flood situation
has worsened. New areas in Baghaichhari and Kaukhali upazilas have been
inundated. Water levels are rising in the Raingkhyang River in Bilachhari, the
Shalk River in Juraichhari, the Kachalong River in Baghaichhari, the Maini
River in Langadu, the Chenghi River in Naniachar, and the Karnaphuli River in
Barkal.
In Naniachar Upazila, a child named Shrestha Chakma, 3,
has drowned in the stream of the Chenghi River. This incident occurred on
Thursday afternoon in the Kukurmara area of Burighat Union.
Due to four days of continuous rain and upstream runoff,
nearly 35 thousand people in 31 unions of Chandpur district are stranded.
Additionally, power supply has been disrupted in the flood-affected areas for
two days. The weather office reports that 102 millimeters of rainfall has been
recorded in the district over the past 24 hours.
The report was compiled with information provided by
correspondents from Feni, Brahmanbaria, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Cumilla,
Chandpur, Rangamati, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Cox's Bazar, and Khagrachari.
