Feni residents head home as floodwaters recede, embankments eroding

The 20 existing erosions have turned to 36, says executive engineer

Flooding in Feni has improved significantly, with most areas now dry and displaced residents returning home from shelters, according to local authorities.

However, despite a halt in rainfall, erosion along the embankments of the Muhuri, Kohua, and Silonia rivers in the border areas of Fulgazi and Parshuram has doubled overnight.

Akhtar Hossain Majumdar, executive engineer of the Feni Water Development Board, said the number of erosion points along the 120km embankment has risen from 20 to 36 since Friday, and could increase with time.

Some of these points are now deep enough to allow river water to seep into nearby villages. Repairs will begin once water levels ebb.

Though floodwaters have receded from major roads like the Feni-Parshuram and Feni-Chhagalnaiya roads, regional streets have suffered extensive damage. Small vehicles continue to struggle navigating the broken and pothole-ridden routes.

In Fulgazi, seedbeds and vegetable fields were damaged, submerged, and rotten by floodwaters.

Abdul Malek, a farmer, said he lost everything to the floods and now lacks the resources to start again.

Hasan, owner of “Bismillah Poultry” who goes by a single name, reported losing 1,500 chickens and infrastructure worth around Tk 450,000.

Upazila Livestock Officer Tarek Mahmud reported that nearly 480 cattle and goats, along with 31,700 ducks and chickens, died in the flooding.

Around 65 tonnes of animal feed and grass were also lost, totalling damages of approximately Tk 2.3 million.

Upazila Fisheries Officer Nazmul Hasan said 1,305 fish ponds across 278 hectares were inundated, causing losses estimated at Tk 37.4 million.

Golam Kibria, Upazila health and family planning officer, warned of a possible rise in diarrhoea, skin diseases, and snake bites due to a lack of clean water, medicine, and sanitation.

Upazila Engineer Syed Asif Muhammad said roads in Fulgazi Sadar and Munshirhat were among the worst hit, and a full damage assessment will take more time.

While the flood situation has eased in Fulgazi, Parshuram, and Chhagalnaiya, some areas in Feni Sadar and Daganbhuiyan are still experiencing waterlogging.

HSC and equivalent exams, as well as honours exams under the National University, which were postponed in Feni due to the floods, resumed from Sunday following the regular schedule.