Severe Flooding Strands Over 2 Million People in Six Districts

Dhaka: Continuous heavy rainfall and upstream water flow from India have triggered severe flooding in six districts of Bangladesh, including Feni, Comilla, Noakhali, Khagrachari, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj. The catastrophic floods have left over two million people stranded and struggling to survive.

In Feni, the worst-hit district, the Muhuri, Kohua, and Silonia rivers have overflowed, submerging more than 200 villages in the Fulgazi, Parshuram, and Chhagalnaiya upazilas. Approximately 200,000 residents live in dire conditions, with major roads submerged under 4 to 7 feet of water, cutting off road communication with the district headquarters. The floodwaters have also disrupted the electricity supply, exacerbating the suffering of the affected people.

The neighboring districts of Comilla and Noakhali are also experiencing severe flooding. In Comilla’s Chauddagram upazila, over 50,000 people are trapped, facing a severe shortage of drinking water. The relentless overnight rain has washed away fish farms, ponds, and reservoirs, causing millions of takas in losses.

In Noakhali, the rising waters of the Meghna River have inundated residential areas across all nine upazilas, affecting several hundred thousand people. Homes, rural roads, and educational institutions are submerged, leaving many residents without shelter.

Moulvibazar is grappling with rising water levels in the Kushiyara, Monu, Dholai, and Juri rivers. The Monu River is flowing 55 cm above the danger level, causing breaches in embankments and flooding 12 villages in Kulaura upazila. The district’s Rajnagar upazila is also experiencing riverbank erosion, putting the town of Moulvibazar at risk. So far, the floods affect around 150,000 people in the district.

In Habiganj, the low-lying areas and roads of at least 20 villages in Chunarughat upazila are underwater. The Khowai River is flowing 121 cm above the danger level at the Balla point, causing widespread flooding. The overflowing waters of the Khowai and Korangi rivers have inundated many villages, adding to the misery of the local population.

Authorities are working tirelessly to provide relief and support to the affected communities. However, the scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local resources, and there is an urgent need for additional assistance to address the immediate needs of the flood victims.