Flood worsens in Feni, rising waters shut schools in Noakhali
As of this morning (10 July), intensified rainfall has led to fresh flooding in multiple areas across the two districts
Over a hundred villages have already gone underwater, a Feni resident raises alarm.
Solaiman Hazari tells The Business Standard the floods are getting worse, even though he spots water levels of the river going down.
At present, flood conditions were reported to have deteriorated significantly in Feni and Noakhali, with persistent rainfall submerging hundreds of villages and displacing thousands of residents.
As of this morning (10 July), intensified rainfall has led to fresh flooding in multiple areas across the two districts.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
In Feni, more than a hundred villages in at least four out of six upazilas have been inundated. Water is flowing over the old Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Chhagalnaiya, causing serious disruptions to traffic.
Since morning, army personnel have begun rescue operations, distributing dry food and deploying boats to affected areas.
Feni Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam responded to the crisis, saying 139 shelter centres have been prepared, with over 8,000 people already taking refuge in more than 50 of them.
He added, "Floodwaters have entered all six upazilas, with the situation worsening particularly in four."
Feni's weather office recorded 76mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours and forecast light showers to continue.
District Water Development Board Executive Engineer Akhtar Hossain Majumder said, "The river water was flowing 12cm below danger level at 9am, but breaches in embankments have led to new areas being flooded. Repair work will commence once water levels recede."
Schools may be used as emergency shelters
Meanwhile, in Noakhali, 95mm of rain was recorded in the past 24 hours. Continuous downpours between 11am and 5pm today have worsened waterlogging.
According to the Water Development Board, Noakhali recorded a 19cm rise in water levels in a single day, though it remains below the danger level. However, continued rain could worsen the situation further.
Heavy flooding has been reported in Sadar, Companiganj, Kabirhat, and Subarnachar upazilas. Many homes are submerged and roads impassable. Primary and secondary schools in the areas shut amid fears of inundation.
As a precaution, the district disaster management committee has announced closure of all primary schools from 10 to 12 July, though teachers are instructed to remain present. Schools may be used as emergency shelters if needed.
Md Halim Salehi, executive engineer of Noakhali Water Development Board, told TBS that continuous rain is the main cause of rising water. "If the rain subsides, conditions will gradually improve. The situation now hinges on rainfall levels overnight."
Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Khandakar Istiaq Ahmed assured that the district administration is fully prepared to face the worsening flood and waterlogging situation.
"All upazila nirbahi officers have been instructed to respond accordingly and are currently working on the ground," he said.
