Photo: Messenger
Everywhere you look in Lakshmipur, there's only deep water. As a result, millions of people in the district are trapped by the flooding. Since Friday evening, water from Noakhali has entered Lakshmipur, raising the water level and flooding new areas. In regions already affected by water, levels have increased by 2 to 3 feet.
It has been reported that continuous heavy rainfall has caused severe waterlogging throughout Lakshmipur, trapping nearly 700,000 people. In some areas, including the district town and the northeastern unions, water levels had started to recede. However, since Friday, floodwaters from Noakhali have begun entering Lakshmipur through channels like Rahmatkhali, submerging most areas in Lakshmipur municipality and eastern unions.
On Saturday morning, the pressure of floodwaters increased, flooding several more villages. Visiting the affected areas and speaking to residents revealed that nearly 700,000 people in every union and municipality of Lakshmipur are stranded. For days, rainwater had caused waterlogging, submerging homes. Over the last two days, floodwater from Noakhali has been entering Lakshmipur through the Rahmatkhali canal, flooding vast areas including Chandraganj, Charshahi, Dighli, Mandari, Bangakha, and Uttar Joypur unions in the eastern part of Sadar Upazila. In some places, people are submerged under 5-6 feet of water. The low-lying areas of Ramgati and Kamalnagar upazilas, especially the western side of the Char Kadira-Haziganj embankment near the Bhulua River, have been waterlogged for about 26 days due to rainwater, affecting over 300,000 people in Ramgati-Kamalnagar and Noakhali’s Andarchar and Char Motua villages. The water from this waterlogging has nowhere to drain.
Although the sun shone in the sky over Lakshmipur throughout Saturday, people's faces showed signs of distress. However, it rained heavily at night.
According to the district administration office, nearly 700,000 people in Lakshmipur district are currently trapped due to heavy rainfall and high tides. The district administration has allocated 395 metric tons of rice and 1 million taka for relief efforts.
A total of 186 permanent and 60 temporary shelters have been opened for the flood victims, and some people have already taken refuge in these shelters. Dry food is being distributed to everyone.
Reports indicate that the water pressure from Noakhali has increased water levels in several unions, including Chandraganj, Charshahi, Dighli, Hajirpara, Dattapara, Mandari, Kushakhali, and Tewariganj. In these areas, rainwater is combining with floodwater from Noakhali. Many places have waist-deep water, and even homes are flooded. In various places like the Rahmatkhali canal in Lakshmipur Sadar, the Bhulua River in Ramgati and Kamalnagar, the WAPDA area in Ramganj, the Birendra canal, and the Dakatia River in Raipur, fish farming, bridge-culvert-road construction, and other structures have led to significant waterlogging.
Traveling around different parts of Sadar Upazila in Lakshmipur, it was observed that most of the roads are now submerged. With the high roads flooded, residents on either side of the roads are facing severe flooding. Almost every house in these areas is underwater. Those with low-lying homes have knee-deep water inside. Yards have waist-deep water. Wells and latrines are submerged, leading to food shortages and a lack of clean water. Residents are seen enduring a harsh life in these conditions.
Those whose homes are no longer habitable have taken refuge in nearby shelters or with relatives.
In Laharkandi Union's Ward 1, elderly residents Kashem and Roushan live next to the road. Their house is flooded with knee-deep water, and their yard has waist-deep water. They manage daily chores like washing clothes and cleaning pots from the doorway. Kashem, an elderly woman, shared that they have eight members in their household, including four children. With water on the floor, she constantly worries about the children's safety.
Mamunur Rashid, a member of Dattapara Union Parishad, mentioned, "There's no rain, yet suddenly our area is seeing rising water levels. This water is coming from Noakhali, increasing people's suffering."
Jahangir Alam Raju, Chairman of Charshahi Union Parishad, said, "My union is next to Noakhali, so we're feeling the pressure of their floodwater. Homes and roads now have 3-4 feet of water. Some people have taken shelter at 16 places, including cyclone shelters, where they are receiving food aid from government and non-government sources."
Discussing the overall flood situation in Lakshmipur, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Yunus Mia stated, "Water levels have increased in the eastern part of Sadar Upazila. Floodwaters from Noakhali are entering these areas through Begumganj. Water is being released through the sluice gates during low tide. We hope the situation will improve as water levels start to recede."
He added that 186 permanent and 60 temporary shelters have been opened for flood victims, with around 10,000 people taking refuge there as of Sunday. Dry food is being distributed among them.
Lakshmipur Deputy Commissioner Suraiya Jahan stated, "Around 700,000 people in five upazilas of the district are trapped due to flooding. The affected people have been asked to take shelter in educational institutions, and dry food is being distributed among them. The local administration is taking all necessary measures to handle the situation."
Messenger/Shahed
