30,000 marooned as Khowai embankment collapse floods 25 villages in Habiganj
The breach in the Khowai River protection embankment followed days of heavy rain and upstream runoff, flooding villages in Habiganj Sadar, Bahubal and Baniachong upazilas.
At least 25 villages in Habiganj were inundated after two sections of the Khowai River protection embankment collapsed last night (9 July) amid days of heavy rain and upstream hill runoff.
Sources at the local Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said the embankment collapsed in the Kaliganj area of Laskarpur Union under Sadar upazila. More than 100 feet of the embankment was washed away within a short time.
Abdullah-Abu-Zaher, upazila nirbahi officer of Habiganj Sadar, said around 30,000 people from 25 villages in the upazila had been affected by the flooding, with around 1,000 people taking shelter at evacuation centres.
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Many affected families moved to safer places with their livestock and essential belongings.
Another section of the Khowai River embankment was also breached at Radhapur in Baniachong upazila.
At Kaliganj, floodwater entered at least 15 villages, including Noabad, Charhamua, Sughar, Bangaon, Notun Bazar, Balihata, Kaliganj, Jadavpur, Bishnurampur, Dakshinchar, Ramnagar, and Bandakshin.
During a visit to these areas, this correspondent saw women, children, and elderly people leaving their homes with cattle and valuables in search of safer places. Many have taken shelter at nearby educational institutions and shelters, while some have moved to relatives' homes.
Floodwater has also entered several houses in the Kamrapur and Danialpur areas of Habiganj town.
The city protection embankment at Machulia Point in Habiganj town is also at risk. Locals are carrying out temporary repairs using bamboo to protect it.
They alleged that the risk increased because the Water Development Board failed to take timely measures.
Around midnight, rising water submerged several sections of the Habiganj-Mirpur road, disrupting traffic. Authorities fear that a further rise in water levels could cut off communication between Habiganj Sadar and the district's Mirpur union.
Abdul Karim, a 45-year-old farmer from Kaliganj village, said the embankment suddenly collapsed last night, and floodwater soon started entering the area.
"I realised water was rising while I was asleep. I somehow managed to move my cattle, essential belongings, and family members to a safer place," he said.
He demanded immediate repairs to the embankment and adequate relief and compensation for affected farming families.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Alamgir Hossain said 125 families in Bahubal and 120 families in Baniachong had been affected by the flooding.
"Five lakh taka, 100 tonnes of rice, and 1,820 packets of dry food have been kept ready to deal with the emergency. Of these, 1,620 packets of dry food have been allocated to different upazilas," he said.
Sayedur Rahman, executive engineer of Habiganj Water Development Board, said two sections of the Khowai River embankment had breached so far, while several other points remained vulnerable.
"If there is no further heavy rainfall, water levels in rivers may decrease," he said.
He also said that repairs were underway at vulnerable points, with local residents helping authorities fill sacks with soil to reinforce the embankment.
Md Moinul Haque, additional deputy commissioner of Habiganj, said a control room had been opened to monitor the flood situation.
