Severe waterlogging in Noakhali has left the region without relief, electricity, and mobile networks, plunging the area into despair. Photo : Messenger
The flood-affected residents of Noakhali's remote areas are in a desperate situation, struggling to receive relief materials due to a severe shortage of boats. The areas of Sonaimuri's Nateshwar, Dighirjan, and Ghoshkamata in Noakhali district are experiencing catastrophic conditions as a result of the severe flooding.
The region is without relief, electricity, and mobile networks, plunging the area into despair. No television channels have covered the residents' plight, and the ground reality is almost unbelievable without witnessing it firsthand.
The eastern parts of Sonaimuri, including Nateshwar, Dighirjan Bazaar, Ghoshkamata, and Washekur, are completely submerged. The only mode of transportation is by boat, with some people wading through waist-deep water. The situation is especially dire for sick women, children, and the elderly, who are fighting to survive.
Despite the severity, healthcare assistants and Community Skilled Birth Attendants (CSBAs) have managed to reach some affected areas with basic supplies such as paracetamol, saline, metronidazole, and water purification tablets. Mujahidul Islam, a healthcare assistant, mentioned that they had to hire boats to deliver these supplies from the Sonaimuri Upazila Hospital in Bajra to several centers. Due to the high water levels, boatmen were initially reluctant to go, but they agreed after being offered double the usual fare.
Upon visiting the area this morning, it was observed that people had taken refuge on the rooftops of schools and homes. Flood victims lamented that no one has come to check on them for the past six days. Even though the area is not far from the town, many remain unaware of the extent of the flooding, with water levels ranging from waist-deep to 8 feet in some places.
Relief materials from other districts and cities are being distributed mainly along the highways, while the truly waterlogged areas remain neglected. Villagers complained that those who are genuinely trapped by the floodwaters are not receiving any aid.
Helal Uddin, the headmaster of Tin Taktota Government Primary School, and assistant teacher Shankar Majumdar informed The Daily Messenger that all the villages in this low-lying area are submerged due to this unprecedented flood. For the first time, the road between Chaumuhani and Nateshwar has gone underwater, according to them.
Meanwhile, the village of Washekur is also underwater, leaving thousands of people trapped. Although a health advisor visited Washekur two days ago, no one has brought any relief materials yet. Throughout the day, field visits revealed that water levels have risen at various points along the Maijdi-Dhaka highway, largely due to blocked drainage systems.
A total of 27 people died in the devastating flood in 11 districts till Tuesday. Of them, 10 people died only in Cumilla, five each in Noakhali and Khagrachhari, three in Cox's Bazar, one each in Feni, Lakshmipur, Khagrachhari, and Brahmanbaria, said KM Ali Reza, additional secretary of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, at a press briefing in the capital.
More than 57 lakh people of around 12.07 lakh families have been stranded in 11 districts due to ongoing flash floods caused by heavy rainfalls and upstream water, he said.
The government is working to send relief to the flood-affected areas in a coordinated way. Relief materials and medical facilities have been ensured in all remote upazilas, he said.
Messenger/Sajib
