Photo : Messenger
The death toll from the severe floods in Bangladesh has risen to 18, following an onrush of water from upstream in India's Tripura and heavy rains over the past few days. The floods have caused extensive damage across 12 districts in Bangladesh, severely affecting 4.9 million people in 11 districts.
Kamrul Hasan, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, reported that rainfall in the eastern parts of the country is gradually decreasing, and the situation is expected to improve within the next 24 hours.
The reported fatalities include 4 in Comilla, 1 in Feni, 5 in Chittagong, 3 in Noakhali, 1 in Brahmanbaria, 1 in Lakshmipur, and 3 in Cox's Bazar.
Currently, 11 districts are affected, with 944,548 families impacted. Authorities have set up 3,527 shelters, accommodating 284,888 individuals. The government has allocated Tk 3.52 crore for relief efforts in the affected areas.
In Chattogram’s Mirsarai Upazila, floodwaters continue to rise in several unions, displacing around 22,000 people into 79 shelters. Rescue workers are evacuating those trapped in homes and transporting them to safety via trucks and pickups. Mirsarai Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Prashanta Chakraborty indicated that water levels are receding in some unions, and further improvement is expected if rain ceases.
In Lakshmipur, despite ongoing challenges, residents are hopeful due to the intense sunshine observed on Saturday. The Meghna River has seen some water ingress during high tide, but levels are beginning to recede.
Flooding in Lakshmipur has impacted various areas, including Rahmatkhali canal, Ramgati, and the Bhulua River. The local administration is actively removing illegal constructions from canals and rivers to address waterlogging issues. Raids led by Raipur Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shahed Arman have targeted areas like Dakatiya River Women's College and Langra Bazar. Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Md. Arifur Rahman reported ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal dams and assist displaced individuals with dry food supplies.
The Lakshmipur Water Development Board’s Executive Engineer Nahid-Uz Zaman Khan expressed hope that the flood crisis will soon abate, provided there is no further heavy rainfall.
In Dhaka, support for flood victims continues as individuals and organizations contribute relief goods. The TSC at Dhaka University has become a hub for relief distribution, with 25 truckloads of supplies already sent to affected regions. However, increased demand for dry food items like muri and chira has led to price hikes by some traders. The National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate has conducted market raids to address these price increases.
To maintain communication during the crisis, Post, Telecommunication, and Information Technology Advisor Md. Nahid Islam has instructed BTRC to provide free diesel to keep mobile network towers operational in Feni district. Additionally, Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, stated that electricity lines in the northeastern flood-affected areas have been shut to prevent accidents. A damage inventory is in preparation, and power restoration will commence once floodwaters recede.
Messenger/Fameema
