11,000 marooned as floods inundate homes, temples and churches in Rangamati

Emergency shelters have been opened at Farua High School and the Farua Union Council office, Belaichari UNO says

Days of relentless rainfall and hill torrents have left 11,000 people marooned in Rangamati’s Belaichari Upazila, local authorities have said.

Agricultural land, shops, and places of worship have all been submerged.

Speaking on Saturday afternoon, Belaichari Upazila administrator (UNO) Jakir Hossain said: "Flash floods triggered by hill runoff have inundated 14 villages, including Farua Bazar in Farua union, leaving 11,000 people stranded.

"Emergency shelters have been set up at Farua High School and the Farua Union Council office. Food has been arranged for those arriving at the shelters. We are actively working to evacuate affected residents to these safe havens."

Birottom Tanchangya, the former chairman of the union council, noted that several villages across Farua Union were initially flooded on Jul 6 following the first spell of rain.

A second wave of torrential downpours on Friday night, however, completely submerged Farua Bazar, along with local roads, educational institutions, temples, and churches.

He said that multiple villages -- including Jamunachhari Bom Para, Taktanal, Ekujjyachhari, Orachhari, Uluchhari, Tarachhari, and Gwayin Chhari – have suffered severe damage.

Communication with local residents remains impossible due to a total collapse of the mobile network, he added.

Gabriel Pankhoa, a resident of Belaichhari Pankhoa Para, said: "The school in the lower part of our village is completely underwater.

“Several villages are flooded, cutting off all transport links. Farua Union last witnessed floods around 2023, but this year’s deluge appears far more severe."

Rangamati District Civil Surgeon Nuyan Khisa said, "Reports indicate extensive damage in Farua Union due to the floods. I am currently stationed in Belaichhari, but our medical teams have been unable to reach Farua due to the treacherous currents.

“If conditions improve on Sunday, medical teams will be deployed with essential medicines and healthcare services."

Meanwhile, the local administration reported that the flood situation in Baghaichari, Barkal, and Juraichari Upazilas has slightly improved, though normalcy has yet to return.

Many displaced residents continue to stay in safe shelters.

Baghaichari UNO Amena Marjan said, "Floodwaters in the Upazila have receded slightly compared with previous days, but residents are still occupying the shelters.

“Food provision has been secured for them, and operations to deliver relief aid to the worst-hit areas remain under way."