Floodwaters trap nearly 7,000 families across Feni

District authorities distribute cash, rice, fibre boats, and life jackets for relief and rescue

A total of 6,950 families remain waterlogged in Feni after flash floods caused by heavy rain and hilly runoff that led the Muhuri, Kuhua and Silonia rivers to overflow.

According to a report by the National Disaster Response Coordination Centre (NDRCC) on Monday, embankments breached at 36 points in Feni district -- 19 in Porshuram and 17 in Fulgazi -- flooding 137 villages across five Upazilas including 44 in Parshuram, 67 in Fulgazi, 15 in Chhagalnaiya, nine in Feni Sadar, and two in Daganbhuiyan.

Water has since receded from 130 of these villages, and the overall flood situation is gradually improving.

Currently, all rivers in the district are flowing below danger levels.

The report estimated that around 29,700 people have been affected by the disaster.

Most of those who sought refuge in shelter centres have returned home.

At present, 88 families comprising 365 people remain in six shelters across three Upazilas: one in Parshuram, four in Fulgazi, and one in Daganbhuiyan.

The Feni district administration has undertaken a series of relief and rehabilitation efforts in response to the crisis:

• Tk 2.35 million in cash and 160 metric tonnes of rice have been distributed in Fulgazi, Parshuram, Chhagalnaiya, Sonagazi, Daganbhuiyan and Feni Sadar Upazilas.

• A total of 2,200 packets of dry and other food have been handed out in Fulgazi, Parshuram and Chhagalnaiya.

• Authorities have kept 230 shelters on standby -- 99 in Fulgazi, 36 in Parshuram, 22 in Feni Sadar, 11 in Chhagalnaiya, and 62 in Daganbhuiyan.

• A total of 72 life jackets, 16 pairs of gumboots, and 39 raincoats have been supplied to volunteers and local representatives in Fulgazi, Chhagalnaiya, and Parshuram.

• A total of 10 fibre boats have been sent to Feni Sadar, Fulgazi, and Chhagalnaiya for rescue efforts.

• Cooked meals are being provided to those in shelters.

• From a pool of 2,547 trained volunteers across the district, 230 are currently working with Upazila administrations in Parshuram, Fulgazi and Chhagalnaiya.

• The Bangladesh Army is assisting local authorities in relief and rescue operations with boats.