Around 20 lakh people in nine upazilas of Noakhali district remain stranded due to flood triggered by heavy rains and onrush of upstream water. Besides, continuous heavy rainfall and onrush of upstream water have inundated around 70 villages in Feni’s Parshuram and Fulgazi upazilas.
On the other hand, the overall flood situation in Chattogram, Rangamati, Khagrachari, Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts of the county deteriorated on Wednesday as swollen major rivers and its tributaries coupled with heavy rains inundated vast tracts in many areas, leaving thousands of people marooned.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Muhuri and Halda rivers in Feni and Chattogram districts may flow above danger level and the flood situation in low-lying areas may remain unchanged. Water level of Gumti river in Cumilla district may flow above danger level and may cause short-term flood in adjoining low-lying areas. Besides, major rivers in the northeastern and eastern region of the country are swelling. Water level of major rivers in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrakona, Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts may rise at some points during the mentioned period.
Floodwaters are now destroying
matured crops, seedbeds, fishponds,
and cattle and poultry farms
in the affected districts
Marooned people are facing acute crises of food and pure drinking water. Relief materials allocated for flood victims are quite insufficient to meet their needs. Houses and vast tracts of cropland in low-lying areas went under water due to onrush of upstream water and heavy showers in the country for the last couple of days.
Floodwaters are now destroying matured crops, seedbeds, fishponds, and cattle and poultry farms in the affected districts. Road communications in different upazilas of the affected districts and the city remain snapped due to floods, with mounting suffering of inhabitants. With the rise of water level in the rivers, erosion has also taken a serious turn at many points in the affected districts, creating panic among the people. All concerned must get prepared to tackle floods as water levels of the rivers are rising. The authorities concerned should start distributing hand-made breads and cooked foods, pure drinking water and oral saline to the flood-hit people immediately.
Packets of dry food will also have to be sent to every flood-affected district alongside food grains. The health ministry should send medical teams there immediately to provide health services. Tents will also to be set up in shelter centres as floodwaters have already rendered a large number of people homeless.
