The flood situation in some 100 low-lying villages in Ukhiya has been improving as the rainwater started receding in the areas on Sunday. So, the lives of the people of the Upazila is being normalized.
The Upazila Administration and private development organisation has been continuing the distribution of relief materials among the affected people. The electricity connections have been restored and the business organisations started their activities in full swing.
Earlier, more than 100 low-lying villages of the Upazila inundated due to the torrential rain for three days, onrush water from hills and tide of the sea. More than 50,000 people were marooned. Many houses, rural roads, culverts, trees and betel leaf gardens were damaged.
Abdul Mannan, assistant meteorologist at Cox's Bazar office of the Department of Meteorology, said 457 millimeters rain was recorded in 24 hours in Cox’s Bazar on Friday. It was the highest record of rainfall in 24 hours. Many places of the district, including Ukhiya, were waterlogged. The rainfall was comparatively less on Saturday and Sunday. Moreover, the water receded quickly due to the low tide in the sea. The normal life of the people has been returning in the flooded villages.
After visiting several areas of the Upazila on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, it was seen that more than 100 villages of the Upazila were flooded. There was water everywhere. Many cattle were dying as most of the low-lying areas were inundated. Around 50,000 people were marooned.
Haladia Palong Union Parishad Chairman Imrul Kayes Chaudhury said Rumkha Chaudhury Para, Bou Bazar, Paglir Beel, Boro Beel, Moni Market and other areas were flooded. The vegetable lands and croplands of Aman paddy went under water. Local fish farmers said fishes of several enclosures and ponds were floated due to the flood.
SM Syed Alam, Jalia Palong Union Parishad Chairman, said several hundred families of Daile Para, Nombori Para and Ghat Ghor Para are marooned.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Nizam Uddin said paddy fields, vegetable lands and betel leaf gardens were damaged due to the heavy current of the water.
Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tanvir Hossain visited several inundated areas on Saturday and Sunday. The UNO posted an emergency message on his verified facebook where he urged the people living on hills or adjacent to the hills to take shelter to the safer places or the nearest cyclone center.
Red Crescent Society Upazila Focal Person Al Mubin said the volunteers and CPP members of Red Crescent are performing their duties in every union of the Upazila.
The Upazila Administration said the cyclone shelter centers in the coastal areas are still open. Dry foods, meals and relief materials are being distributed to the people who took shelter at the cyclone shelter center, UNO Tanvir Hossain said.
