About 300,000 people from 50,000 families have been affected by the flood in 10 upazilas of Chattogram district.
Five people, including children, have died in various upazilas of the district due to continuous rains, onrush of hilly water from upstream and floods caused by breaking of Halda river embankment, according to Chattogram district administration and district relief and rehabilitation office.
Although the water has started receding in many places, the flood situation is still almost unchanged in Chattogram. As the water begins to recede, the damage also increases. The residents of Fatikchhari, Mirsharai and Hathazari upazilas were the most affected.
So far, three deaths, including a child, have been confirmed in Fatikchhari, one in Hathazari and one in Rangunia. Two of the deceased are Razi Ahmed, 55, of Fatikchhari and Md Sami, 7. Besides, Roni, 17, a resident of Dakshin Rajanagar Union in Rangunia upazila, drowned in floodwater while Ziaur Rahman Saqib, 22, died due to electrocution in flood water in Hathazari upazila.
Fatikchhari UNO Mozammel said, "We have received news of the death of three people, including a child, from Dantmara, Narayanhat and Bhujpur unions. They were washed away by floodwater.”
Besides, the body of an unidentified youth was found floating in Haitkandi area of Mirsharai Upazila.
As the water of the Halda River was flowing above the danger level, the flood situation worsened in the two municipalities of Fatikchhari along with Baganbazar, Dantmara, Sundarpur, Paindong, Harualchhari, Suabil, Narayanhat and Bhujpur Unions. Besides, different areas of Lelang, Samitirhat, Rosangiri, Jafotnagar, Baktpur, Nanupur and Dharmapur were flooded. Houses of the residents of six wards of Farhadabad Union in Hathazari have been flooded.
At the same time, Mirsharai upazila of the district was flooded as the Feni and the Muhuri rivers were flowing above the danger level. Various unions, including Karerhat, Hinguli, Bariyarhat Municipality, Mirsharai Municipality’s lower area, Zorarganj, Ichhakhali, Katachhra, Durgapur, Mithanala, Khoiyachhra, Osmanpur and Wahedpur, have been inundated by flood water. Similarly, several areas of Raujan, Rangunia and Boalkhali upazilas have been flooded by Halda river water.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner’s Staff Officer and Executive Magistrate Fahmun Nabi said, “Members of various voluntary organisations, Bangladesh Army and BGB are working under the supervision of the district administration to control the overall flood situation. Fifty rescue boats are operating in Mirsharai upazila while 10 in Fatikchhari upazila.”
Rasel Ahmed, central coordinator of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said, “So far, our 10 teams have reached Fatikchhari and Mirsharai upazilas and Feni with relief. Meanwhile, a separate team is working for rescue. We are collecting public relief at Sholoshahar railway station in the city.”
Chattogram District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Saifullah Majumdar said, “Around 2,62,400 people have been affected in 10 upazilas of Chattogram. Among them, 1.02 lakh people are from 19,580 families in 20 unions of Fatikchhari; and 48,500 people from 12,000 families in 12 unions of Mirsharai upazila.”
According to Chattogram district administration, 590 km of roads and 125 culverts of Mirsharai and Fatikchhari upazilas have been damaged by the flood. A total of 365 tubewells and 1,537 latrines have been damaged in Fatikchhari upazila.
Acting Deputy Director of Local Government Department Sadi ur Rahim Jadid said, “A total of 94 shelter centres have been opened by the district administration. Of them, 9,067 people, including men, women and children, have taken shelter in the centres. A total of 107 medical teams have been formed to treat people in the flood-affected areas of the district.”
He also said 1,300 metric tons of rice and Tk 35 lakh in cash are stored with the local government department to deal with natural disasters. Some 905 metric tons of rice and Tk 25.95 lakh have been kept in reserve for the flood-affected areas. Of them, 395 metric tons of rice and Tk 9 lakh have been distributed. Along with the distribution of remaining relief, dry food is also being given.
