25 villages submerged in Moulvibazar as dam breaks, elderly man dies

As many as 148 flood shelters have been prepared across the district and will be opened as needed, says Moulvibazar deputy commissioner

Flood conditions in Moulvibazar have worsened due to continuous rainfall and flash floods descending from the upstream hills. An elderly man has died after being swept away by floodwaters.

The water level of the Manu River is flowing 84cm above the danger level. Although the water level in the Dhalai River has fallen slightly, it remains at a risky level.

Meanwhile, the Juri and Kushiara rivers are also flowing close to their respective danger marks.

As river levels continue to rise, homes, roads, and agricultural land in various parts of the district have been inundated, leaving thousands of people stranded and facing severe hardship.

Early Friday morning, Ashraf Ali, 70, died after being swept away by floodwaters in the Akua area of Tengra Bazar Union under Rajnagar Upazila, according to Rajnagar Police Station chief Mohammad Farid Uddin Ahmad Bhuiyan.

He said, "[Ashraf] was swept away while leaving his house. His body was found floating in a nearby ditch in the morning. After receiving information from local residents, police recovered the body from the scene."

According to Md Khaled Bin Walid, executive engineer of the Moulvibazar office of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, as of 9am on Saturday, the Manu River was flowing 84cm above the danger level.

He added, "Although the Dhalai River was flowing 70cm above the danger level on Friday night, the water level declined somewhat by Saturday morning. However, the flood risk for riverside communities has not yet subsided."

Rajnagar Upazila has been the worst affected. Late Friday night, the flood protection embankment along the Manu River collapsed in the Uzirpur area of Tengra Bazar Union, inundating at least 10 villages, including Uzirpur and surrounding communities.

As floodwater entered homes, thousands of residents sought refuge overnight in schools and at relatives' houses. Many families remain stranded by the rising water.

In Kamalganj Upazila, sudden floodwater entered through the Mokhabil embankment on the Dhalai River, flooding at least 15 villages in Islampur Union.

Extensive areas, including Sreepur, Goler Haor, and Bhandarigaon, have gone underwater, with roads submerged.

Agricultural land and seedbeds prepared for Aman rice have also been inundated, exposing farmers to significant financial losses.

Residents of the two affected Upazilas said the water rose so rapidly that many people had no opportunity to move their belongings to safety.

With homes flooded, shortages of safe drinking water and food have emerged. As road communication has broken down, boats have become the only means of transportation in many areas.

Md Asaduzzaman, administrator (UNO) of Kamalganj, said the administration has advised residents living along riverbanks to remain alert and move quickly to flood shelters if necessary.

Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner Touhiduzzaman Pavel said sufficient relief supplies have been stocked in every Upazila of the district. The district administration, Upazila administrations, the Water Development Board, and other relevant government agencies are monitoring the situation around the clock.

He said, "The administration is fully prepared to ensure the safety of flood-affected people, conduct rescue operations, and distribute relief. In addition, 148 flood shelters have been prepared across the district and will be opened as needed.