Coastal areas in Chandpur flooded as Meghna swells; fish farmers hit hard

Several coastal areas of Chandpur district were flooded yesterday (25 July) following a sharp rise in the water level of the Meghna River, caused by a low pressure over the Bay of Bengal.

The water level surged by nearly three feet during high tide, entering roads, homes and ponds and causing widespread panic among residents, including fears of snake bites.

Officials at the Water Development Board in Chandpur said the Meghna River was flowing 21 centimetres above the danger mark – set at 4 centimetres – during last afternoon's high tide. 

The situation peaked around 3:30pm, submerging around 30 low-lying char areas in Chandpur Sadar and Haimchar upazilas.

Water also rose to road level in Puratan Bazar near the town protection embankment, raising concerns about possible  damage to the embankment itself.

Local residents, including day-labourer Moron Dhali and traders Rafiqul Islam and Bhulu Das from Ronagowal and Paschim Shriramdi areas of Puratan Bazar, said that while water levels were lower on Thursday, they rose rapidly on Friday due to intensified winds and strong river currents.

Floodwaters entered homes and shops, forcing locals to evacuate with their belongings to safer locations.

In Harina Ferry Ghat area of Hanarchar union, residents including Manir Sherikh, Sazzad Hossain and Shahidulla Master reported that several low-lying roads were already submerged, and water was on the verge of spilling over the remaining roads.

Yusuf Gazi, a resident of Bakharpur village under Chandpur Sadar's Chandra union, said, "All houses, courtyards, roads and ponds outside the irrigation project area were flooded. I've been raising fish in my pond. It was flooded by the floodwaters and the fish were washed away. I'm helpless...the flood hit us suddenly."

He said fish farmers were the worst affected ones, having had no time to construct barriers to protect their ponds.

Even paved roads have suffered damage due to the water.

Md Mizanur Rahman, Assistant Fisheries Officer of Sadar upazila, said fish farmers outside irrigation zones were contacted and advised to take protective measures.

Ashraful Haque, Senior Fisheries Officer of Haimchar upazila, said fish farmers were alerted during a coordination meeting earlier this month. 

"We told them there would be a rise in water levels from July 24 to 28. Despite that, we are taking further steps to alert the fishermen," he said.

Shah Md Shoaib, Senior Meteorological Observer at Chandpur Met Office, said that due to the low pressure over the Bay, tide levels were forecast to rise by 1 to 3 feet above normal.

Md Zahurul Haque, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board in Chandpur, said, "Our officers are on alert. Although the Meghna's water level has risen, it will not remain high for long. During Friday's high tide, the water was flowing 21 centimetres above the danger level, but it is expected to recede afterward."