English

Nearly a month and a half ago, floods hit Lakshmipur due to continuous rainfall and water flow from upstream. Most residents in the eastern part of the district have yet to recover from the disaster. Environmentalists cite blocked and unrepaired canals and drainage systems as the reason for the stagnation of floodwater, which would typically flow out through the Bhulua River. The failure to restore and clear these waterways has prolonged the flooding. According to the district’s Relief and Rehabilitation Department, over 550,000 people remain waterlogged, with many unable to return home due to submerged houses. As a result, most schools are unable to resume teaching.

Abdus Sattar Palwan, Supreme Court lawyer and leader of the Ramgati-Kamalnagar Anti-Riverbank Erosion Movement, explained that clogged canals, including the Bhulua River, are preventing water from receding. He mentioned that a petition was filed with the High Court, leading to a directive for local authorities to clear and restore the rivers and canals.

The Directorate of Education made an effort to fully reopen schools starting last Sunday, but many residents still remain in shelters, unable to return home. Sources say that flooded roads and waterlogged schoolyards have made it impossible to resume classes.

According to the district’s Primary Education Office, out of Lakshmipur’s 732 primary schools, 40 remain flooded, while 89 are housing displaced people. More than half of the district’s schools have yet to reopen due to flooded fields, classrooms, and nearby roads. Abdul Latif Mozumder, the District Primary Education Officer, could not confirm when schools would fully reopen.

Lakshmipur’s Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, Md. Younus Miah, reported that even though floodwaters had receded, recent rains have caused water levels to rise again. Currently, more than 30 percent of the population is still stranded. Around 5,300 people are residing in temporary shelters, receiving food assistance from local representatives and the military.

He added that people in 12 unions of Sadar Upazila and six unions of Kamalnagar Upazila remain waterlogged. The slow recession of water has hampered the expected improvement in the flood situation.

Mohammad Ali Akbar, who took shelter at Manoharpur Primary School in Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila, returned home briefly. However, his house was flooded again following rain last Friday and Saturday, forcing him to return to the shelter. Many others like him have had to return to shelters as well.

Taslima Begum, from Char Kadira village in Kamalnagar Upazila, is living in a dilapidated, waterlogged house with her three children. Inside her home, knee-high water has left her belongings scattered, and there’s no way to cook.

“I stayed at Fazumiar Hat KM Government Primary School for 18 days. They sent us back. Now, where will I go with my three children? Is there anyone who will help us with a house? My husband is ill and unable to work. We are struggling, and no one cares. No representative has helped us so far,” Taslima said.

Mohammad Hafiz, a resident of Panchpara village in Chandraganj Union, has been stranded for a month and a half. He has not sought shelter elsewhere out of fear his belongings might be stolen. His seven-member family has been surviving with little to no food. He used to work in the fish trade but has been unemployed for over a month, a situation shared by many of his neighbors.

District Commissioner Rajeeb Kumar Sarkar told Bonik Barta, “Thirty percent of the district’s population remains waterlogged. The ministry has requested a damage report. We’ve already submitted a report to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, and the administration is working at the local level to provide aid to those affected.”