Millions trapped in flood waters in North Chittagong

The flood situation has worsened in Mirsrai, Fatikchari, Raujan and Hathazari in Chittagong. Due to continuous rainfall, hillsides, the Halda River burst, and the Feni River exceeded the danger level. Most of the upazila was flooded. There is a shortage of fresh water. Millions of people are trapped in the water.

The flooding worsened on Thursday after a dam on the Halda River burst, leaving millions of people virtually stranded under water.

Even by Friday (July 23) afternoon, the flood situation in these upazilas had not improved much.

The Dhaka-Chittagong highway has been closed due to rising water levels in various places. Many vehicles from Chittagong were stranded, causing a long traffic jam. Rescue efforts were also hampered by the inability to use the lanes heading to Dhaka.

According to reports, most of the people in Kerhat, Hinguli, Dhum and Ichakhali unions of Mirsarai Upazila were trapped in the flood. As of Thursday, many people had gone to safe shelters, but many did not leave their homes. Later, they were flooded as the water level rose. Power supply in these areas has been cut since 12 noon on Thursday. The rescue efforts faced many obstacles due to the absence of mobile phone network.

It was found that all the villages in 18 unions of Fatikchari upazila were flooded. Due to the increased water pressure in the Durang and Halda rivers, the embankments were breached at some places. Houses were submerged in knee-deep water.

Mahmudul Haque, president of Dharmapur Union Parishad in Phatikchari, said three wards of his union were affected by the floods. In Siddhammapur, water has entered almost all houses. There is knee-deep water on the roads.

Fatikchhari Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mozammel Haque Chowdhury said that all areas of the upazila were more or less flooded. Around 100,000 people were trapped in the water. Rescue assistance will be provided after assessing the damage once the flood water recedes. Some people in the area have been taken to shelters.

Apart from this, 50,000 people were trapped in water in West Noapara, Palawanpara, Mokamipara, Sam Mahaldarpara, Chamidar Kwang, Kachukhain, South Noapara, Moishkaram, Saudagarpara, Sujarpara, East Urkichar, Khalifa Ghona, Baiizzakhali, Bagoan, West Gujra, Gahira, Nawajishpur, Chikdair, Dabua and some other villages in Rujan.

The flooded areas in Hathajari upazila include Farhadbar, Mandakini, Burishchar, Shikarpur, Gardwara, Dakshin Madarsha, Uttara Madarsha, Mekhal, several wards of the municipality, Nangalmora, Chipatali. The Halda river overflowed and houses along its banks were submerged in water.

Meanwhile, social organizations and students have been travelling to these areas by boats from different parts of Chittagong since Thursday to carry out relief work. They are also providing dry food.

Prashant Chakraborty, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Mirsarai Upazila, said that the intensity of water level has increased today compared to Thursday. Power supply is down in flood-affected areas and there is no mobile network. Getting reliable information from rescuers has become difficult. Army and Red Crescent personnel are working to rescue people trapped in water. Apart from this, numerous volunteers are rescuing people trapped in water in several areas including Khot and distributing dry rations to them.

Remote Management/SSH