Torrential rains cause flood in Feni, Cumilla, Lakshmipur and Barishal

Thousands of people in Feni, Cumilla, and Lakshmipur and Barishal have been marooned due to flooding caused by the incessant rainfall for the past few days and subsequent rise in water levels in major rivers.

While usual activities of the people are disrupted across the districts amid waterlogging and road communication disruption, the low-income group are suffering most due to lack of work in the prevailing squally weather. 

In Feni, at least 30 villages in Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas have been flooded after flood control embankments along the Muhuri, Kuhua and Silonia rivers gave way at 14 points, beginning from Tuesday afternoon.

The flooding, triggered by relentless heavy rainfall and rising upstream waters from India, has also disrupted electricity supply in several areas.

In the district, 306 mm of rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours until 9am yesterday morning (10 July), Feni weather observatory office acting officer Md Mazibur Rahman told TBS.

Rain is likely to continue in the district today, he said.

Masudur Rahman, a resident of Fulgazi, told TBS, "Water is still rushing in through the breached embankments. As time passes, more and more areas are getting flooded. Just like last year's flood, we are again facing mobile network issues."

Parshuram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arifur Rahman told TBS that local authorities are monitoring the situation closely.

Executive Engineer of Water Development Board, Feni, Akhtar Hossain told TBS that water level in the district's rivers was flowing 95cm above the danger level.

He warned that if rain continues upstream in Tripura, India, water levels could rise further, risking new collapses.

Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam told TBS that 131 schools have been prepared as shelters, a control room has been opened and over 2,500 trained volunteers are on standby.

In Cumilla, water level in the Gumti river was recorded at 8.30 metres, just three metres below the danger level of 11.30 metres as of 9m yesterday.

"The water level in the Gumti River is rising rapidly, and it is time to remain vigilant," said Khan Mohammad Waliuzzaman, executive engineer (Gumti Division) of the Water Development Board in Comilla.

Authorities stated that a joint initiative by the district administration and the WDB office has been undertaken to prepare for any potential flooding.

In Barishal division, the Bishkhali river in Jhalakathi flowed 16cm above the danger level, while water in the Surma and Meghna rivers in Bhola flowed 62cm above the danger mark yesterday.

In addition, the Payra river is flowing 43cm above the danger level at Miraganj point, Tajul Islam, deputy assistant engineer of the Water Research Department, Barishal, told TBS.

In the past 24 hours till 12pm yesterday, 159 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in the division, Barishal weather observatory office in-charge Anisur Rahman told TBS.

He said the ongoing squally weather is likely to persist for the next one to two days.

Engineer Tajul further said water has entered homesteads and crop fields in many areas. "River erosion may occur in these areas when the water starts to recede."

In addition to coastal areas and croplands, homesteads on the riverbanks in the division, especially in parts of Barishal city and Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali and Pirojpur districts, have been submerged.

Due to lack of work, people of the low-income group in the division are hit hardest. 

"There has been a lack of passengers for the past four or five days. It has been raining all day. So, people are not stepping out," Bellal Mia, a rickshaw-puller in Barishal city shared with TBS. 

Barishal City Corporation Cleaning Officer Yusuf Ali told TBS that waterlogging has occurred in the city due to the rise in water level of the Kirtankhola river.

In Lakshmipur, severe waterlogging in different areas including municipality, trapped thousands of residents, and water entered the localities in parts of Ramgati and Kamalnagar upazilas.

According to the Ramgati weather warning office, 225mm of rainfall, highest of the season, has been recorded in the past 24 hours.

In Lakshmipur municipality, water has accumulated in various places including Samserabad, JB Road, Banchanagar and Majupur.

As a result, the residents of the municipality have suffered greatly, and low-income people are in extreme uncertainty.

Firoz Alam, a vegetable trader in the municipality, told TBS, "There are no people in the market. Due to this, vegetables are being spoiled. Besides, the prices of different types of vegetables are also increasing due to the rain."

Deputy Commissioner Rajib Kumar Sarkar told TBS that instructions have been given to the executive officers of each upazila to resolve waterlogging.

Besides, the district and upazila administrations are working to ensure that there is no obstruction to the flow of water in the canals.