Photo: Bonik Barta Most
villages across five unions in Cumilla’s Burichang Upazila were flooded following
a breach in the Gomti river embankment. The breach occurred late Thursday
(August 22) night, trapping many residents in their homes. As a result, the
main road connecting the district to the upazila has been cut off.
Burichang
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shahida Akter provided these details at 3:00 pm
today, Friday (August 23). She reported that the embankment broke around 1:00
am last night, leading to widespread damage. The five flood-affected unions
include Sholonal, Pir Jatrapur, Burichang Sadar, Bakshimul, and Rajapur. Most of
the villages in these unions are now completely submerged.
Shahida
Akter further stated, “Attempts to reach the breached area this morning had to
be abandoned due to flooding on the main road. Various organizations, the fire
service, and local volunteers are continuing rescue operations.”
The
breach occurred around 1:00 am late night in the Sholonal union of Burichang,
specifically at a place called Burburia. This was due to heavy rainfall and
water surging in from India. Panic spread in the nearby areas as water began
flooding the locality.
Khan
Mohammad Waliuzzaman, the Executive Engineer of the Cumilla Water Development
Board, told Bonik Barta this morning, “By
6:00 am this morning, approximately 70 feet of the embankment had collapsed. The
breach might widen as the water continues to flow out.”
Syed
Arifur Rahman, Acting Officer of the Cumilla Meteorological Department,
confirmed, “Water levels remain above the danger mark. At 1:00 am on yesterday
night, the water level was 134 centimeters above the danger level. By 6:00 am
on Friday, it was still 129 centimeters above.” Officials from the Water
Development Board noted, “The Gomti River had last breached its banks in 1997
when the water level rose 96 centimeters above the danger mark. This year’s
flood has broken a 27-year record.”
