Broken homes, broken hopes in Manik Pathan village after the flood
Floods hit Manik Pathan after 80% of Banshkhali was submerged
The 18-month-old child keeps crying. Jesmin Akter understands the child is hungry, but she can only stare helplessly at her child's face. For several days, Jesmin has struggled to get enough food herself. She says her child is not getting enough milk.
Her mud house in Manik Pathan village of Chattogram's Banshkhali upazila was washed away by floodwaters, household belongings were destroyed, and the family's small savings disappeared with the current.
Now, Jesmin, her husband and their young child spend their days and nights under a tarpaulin sheet, waiting to rebuild their lives.
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Jesmin's story reflects the suffering of hundreds of families in the village.
Home to around 1,200 people, the village was devastated by recent floods. Residents said many families who lost homes, food supplies and livelihoods are yet to receive government relief.
They alleged that local representatives or their officials have not visited the area to assess the damage. Villagers also claimed they received no support from political parties.
Banshkhali was one of the worst-hit areas in Chattogram after eight consecutive days of rainfall caused severe flooding, submerging around 80% of the upazila.
Although floodwaters have started receding, the damage remains visible in collapsed houses, muddy yards, damaged belongings and families living under tarpaulins.
According to locals, Manik Pathan has around 280 families, most of whom live in mud houses. Floodwaters damaged around 180 homes, while at least 60 were completely destroyed.
Many families are now living in temporary shelters made with bamboo poles and plastic sheets, while others have taken refuge at relatives' homes.
Homes, crops and livelihoods lost
Farmer Jamal Ahmed, the sole earning member of his family, lost his farmland, stored rice and livestock in the flood.
"Everything is gone, crops, home and animals. I do not know how I will support my family now," he told The Business Standard.
For Anjuma Begum, the flood came when her family was already struggling. Her husband broke his hand in an accident four months ago and has been unable to work since.
"Floodwater destroyed our home. With a disabled husband and a son, we are barely surviving," she said.
More than 60-year-old widow Jahanara Begum is also facing uncertainty. One of her sons is disabled, while the other works as a day labourer.
"Our mud house has completely disappeared. The little rice we had stored was also destroyed," she said.
The flood has also damaged livelihoods across the village. Residents said around 1,400 maunds of paddy were destroyed, while three poultry farms lost around 2,500 chickens. Around 400 ducks were washed away, and fish from village ponds were also lost.
Relief dispute
Manik Pathan has no cyclone shelter or permanent flood shelter. During the flooding, villagers had to take refuge in only four concrete buildings for six days.
The village also has no government primary school. Students travel to nearby villages for education, but damaged roads have made movement difficult.
Katharia Union Parishad member Md Rafiq Ahmed told TBS that 80 out of 280 families received 10 kilograms of rice as government relief.
"We are distributing whatever allocation we receive," he said.
However, many residents claimed most families did not receive government assistance. A local volunteer group, Madhyam Manik Pathan Samaj Kallyan Samity, provided dry food, while other volunteer organisations later extended support.
Katharia Union Parishad Chairman Badsha Mia said around 95 to 100 families received relief in several phases.
Banshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ruhul Amin said relief is sent through union parishads for ward-based distribution.
"As far as I know, relief was sent to Manik Pathan village," he told TBS.
Many families are now waiting for support to repair their homes and recover from the losses caused by the flood.
