Photo: Messenger
Due to sudden floods in various parts of the country, nearly 200,000 people in three upazilas of Feni have been trapped, with one person reported dead. The unexpected floods have caused extensive damage to crops and fisheries, forcing many to abandon their homes in search of shelter.
More than 200 villages have been inundated in Fulgazi, Parshuram, and Chagalnaiya upazilas in Feni during the third round of floods this year. Nearly 200,000 people are living in waterlogged conditions, according to the Ministry of Disaster and Relief.
Due to continuous rain, the water level of the Padma-Meghna River has slightly increased in Chandpur, with 71 mm of rain recorded from 12 pm on Tuesday (August 20) to 12 pm on Wednesday. As a result, public life has come to a standstill.
The flooding has claimed the life of a young man in Fulgazi upazila, who was swept away by strong currents, while another person remains missing. Over 400 people have been rescued from flood-stricken areas. Entire communities are now in desperate need of shelter, as their homes and roads have been inundated.
Mostafa Kamal Palash, a weather and climate researcher at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, said, “According to the European weather forecast model, there is a possibility of 200 to 250 millimeters of rain in Chattogram, Rangamati, Khagrachari, Brahmanbaria, Moulvibazar, Comilla, and Feni districts by 12:00 PM on Thursday.”
The local administration, overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, has sought assistance from the Bangladesh Army and the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) to evacuate those trapped by the rising waters.
The three major rivers of Feni—Muhuri, Kohua, and Silonia—are flowing well above their danger levels, exacerbating the crisis. In Fulgazi, more than 40 villages under Sadar, Anondapur, Munshihat, and Amjadhat unions are submerged.
On Monday night, a man named Raju went fishing with friends at a breached embankment when he was swept away by strong currents. Although locals managed to rescue him, he was declared dead upon arrival at Fulgazi Upazila Health Complex.
In Parshuram upazila, over 45 villages under Mirzanghar, Chithalia, Boxmahmud, and the municipal town are underwater. Meanwhile, several villages in Chhagalnaiya’s Pathan Nagar, Radhanagar, and Shubhapur unions have also been affected.
Floodwaters have engulfed roads, ponds, and farmlands, and in some cases, have risen to the rooftops of homes. Displaced residents are now seeking shelter as local authorities and volunteer organizations distribute relief supplies.
The flooding follows recent breaches at 15 spots along the Muhuri, Kohua, and Silonia rivers. Despite repairs, an additional 12 breaches have occurred, marking the third flood in just six weeks.
Over 100 villages have been impacted, with damage to infrastructure, crops, and fisheries estimated at over Tk30 crore.
Habib Swapan, a resident of Parshuram’s Salia area, emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that boats and speedboats are now more critical than relief supplies. Many residents were caught unprepared, with no means of transportation, and have been left without power, food, or water since Monday night.
Parshuram Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Afroza Habib Shapla described the current flood as the worst in living memory, affecting most villages in the municipality and three unions.
With the help of fire service members and student volunteers, two boats have been used to evacuate around 100 people to safety. One person remains missing, and 500 packets of dry food have been distributed, with an additional 500 packets and 50 tons of rice in reserve.
Fulgazi UNO Tania Bhuiyan reported that nearly all villages under the upazila's six unions are flooded. Since Tuesday night, two boats have been deployed, evacuating around 300 people. The army and coast guard have initiated rescue operations, and 500 packets of dry food have been distributed, with more supplies on standby. Water levels continue to rise, with one death confirmed.
Feni Deputy Commissioner Musammat Shahina Akter said that the administration is fully engaged in relief and rescue operations.
Abul Kashem, sub-divisional engineer of the Water Development Board, confirmed that the Muhuri River is flowing 86 centimeters above the danger level. Meanwhile, Munir Hossain, a meteorological observer at the Feni Weather Office, reported 97 millimeters of rainfall in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the army has come to the rescue of those trapped in the floodwaters in Phulgazi-Parashuram of Feni. The BGB and Coast Guard are also working on rescue efforts. The whole of Khagrachari has been affected by severe floods after several days of continuous rain and landslides. Thousands of people are trapped in water in different upazilas. The flood situation in Khagrachari district headquarters has improved slightly, but the situation in Dighinala remains unchanged.
Messenger/Disha
