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Published : 25 Aug 2024, 03:57 AM
Remote areas of Parshuram and Fulgazi Upazilas in Feni remain largely cut off as floodwaters continue to isolate communities.
Reports suggest that people are still trapped in these areas.
In Cumilla, one of the worst-hit districts, a family of ten in Shikarpur village of Burichang Upazila has been stranded on the rooftop of their three-storey house since late Thursday night. By Saturday afternoon, no rescue workers had reached them.
Nazmul Hossain, a resident of Cumilla city and a member of the stranded family, spoke of their dire situation: “My brother Md Liton and ten family members are trapped on the rooftop with only a small amount of drinking water. Despite our efforts, we haven’t been able to rescue them in two days.
“They were in contact with me until Saturday morning. Although they are safe from the rising water for now, communication is lost as their mobile phones have run out of charge. The area around our house in Shikarpur is completely submerged, making any movement impossible.”
Nazmul, who has been involved in relief efforts himself, expressed his helplessness: “I’m rescuing others but can’t reach my own family. No boats are heading towards Shikarpur due to the strong currents.”
Despite the risks, he is determined to reach his family, saying: “I’m trying to make my way to them. Please pray for us. Around 400 to 500 people in our village are in the same predicament.”
The flooding, caused by torrential rains and water from upstream India, has left many villages in Burichang Upazila inundated, with numerous residents stranded for days without rescue.
Although families have repeatedly appealed for help, no significant action has been taken.
In addition to Cumilla, the entire Fulgazi, Parshuram, and Chhagalnaiya Upazilas in Feni, along with parts of the Sadar Upazila, have been severely affected by the floods.
Parshuram and Fulgazi remain largely cut off, with reports of people still trapped.
Despite efforts by the Bangladesh Army, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and social and volunteer organisations to rescue people in these remote areas, the situation remains critical.
As water levels begin to recede in the country’s northeastern regions, the flood situation in the southeast, including Cumilla, Feni, and Chattogram, is expected to gradually improve, according to the Met Office.
The Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Lakshmipur and Cox’s Bazar districts have been reeling from flash floods over the past several days due to upstream runoff and heavy rain.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department bulletin said, “There is little chance of heavy rain in the southeast, east and adjoining upstream areas too, meaning that the low-lying areas adjacent to the Muhuri, the Feni, the Gomti, and the Halda rivers in Feni, Cumilla, and Chattogram districts may see further improvement in the flooding situation.”
However, heavy rainfall is forecasted for the next two days across three divisions, raising concerns about further flooding in these areas.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief reported 18 fatalities so far and noted that the flooding, caused by heavy rains and upstream surges, has affected 4,938,159 people across 11 districts.
In Burichang Upazila alone, official figures estimate that around 45,000 people are stranded, although locals believe the number is closer to 100,000.
The Upazila administration reported that only about 11,000 people had reached shelters by Saturday.
Many stranded residents have taken refuge on rooftops or higher ground since late Thursday night.
Although some have access to dry food, most lack clean drinking water. They are calling for rescue and safe water, rather than just relief supplies.
Those who manage to find a way are braving waist-deep water to reach shelters.
Along with family members, many are also trying to save essential belongings and livestock, though the number of people reaching shelters is still very low compared to the total number affected.
Some are choosing to stay home to protect their property.
Throughout Saturday, the situation in Burichang’s Bharashar, Ichapura, and Kharataya areas was grim, with similar conditions reported in Bakshimul, Maniknagar, and Buraburia.
Rehana Begum from Kharataya village has moved her family to a local shelter but returns to her home in hopes of salvaging important documents and food.
However, with neck-deep water around her house and no boats available, she remains stuck at a bridge, unable to proceed.
She said: “Many in our village have taken shelter on building rooftops. Among them are the sick and elderly who need boats to be rescued. Right now, the most urgent need is to rescue the stranded people. Less than five percent of those affected have made it to the shelters because this flood hit suddenly, and no one expected the river embankment to breach so quickly.”
Khandaker Md Mushfiqur Rahman, Cumilla’s deputy commissioner, said: “All educational institutions in the flood-affected Upazilas have been declared as shelters. We have sufficient dry food, saline, and medicine for the affected people, and relief distribution is ongoing. We are keeping a close watch and are working to rescue those who are trapped.”
RELIEF NOT REACHING REMOTE AREAS
On Thursday night, around 11:45pm, a 30-foot section of the Gomti River embankment in Burichang Upazila’s Sholonal Union collapsed, leading to rapid inundation of the entire Upazila.
By Saturday afternoon, the breach had expanded to 500 feet, according to officials from the Water Development Board, or WDB.
The breach has resulted in a catastrophic flood situation in Burichang.
Power supply has been cut off across the Upazila, and the lack of mobile network and internet connectivity has severely hampered communication.
Flooded roads have further disrupted transportation, though a few trucks carrying relief and boats have been seen navigating through the submerged streets.
The mobile network issues have exacerbated the crisis, with volunteers struggling to coordinate rescue and relief efforts due to a lack of accurate information.
Stranded residents in remote areas are facing severe shortages of food and clean water, with women, children, and the elderly at risk of health issues.
In the afternoon, several organisations and individuals brought aid to the Cumilla-Burichang road, but those arriving in microbuses had to turn back due to knee-deep water and strong currents.
Relief efforts have been somewhat successful with tractors and pickups reaching the main roads, while those with boats have been able to conduct rescue operations within villages.
Students from Cumilla Victoria College, using a tractor, have been transporting women and children from Kharataya to Cumilla City.
Sohrab Hossain Shuvo, a volunteer from the college, said: “We have been distributing aid in Pirjatrapur, Sadekpur, Anandanagar, Ichapura, and Sholonal for two days. The severe shortage of drinking water is causing significant distress.”
Zahirul Haque from the Bakshimul area said: “The situation here is dire. Aid is not reaching remote areas due to a lack of boats, and most relief is only reaching those closest to the distribution points. Some people are receiving aid multiple times, while others have not received any.”
Zahirul suggested the use of boats or speedboats to rescue people in remote areas and ensure the delivery of clean water and food.
‘WE ARE LEFT DESTITUTE’
Burichang Upazila, along with parts of Cumilla Adarsha Sadar Upazila, Brahmanpara, and Debidwar, has been severely affected by the flooding.
The waters of the Ghunghur and Salda rivers have inundated many areas in Brahmanpara, including the Shashidal Union, leading to widespread suffering among residents.
The floods have submerged fish ponds, agricultural fields, and cattle farms, leaving homes and property underwater.
Many are now swimming to check on their property after seeking temporary shelter.
Golam Mustafa from Ichapura village has been stranded for two days, saying, “We have received some food, but we lack clean drinking water. Without it, survival is becoming increasingly difficult. Our homes are destroyed.”
Abdul Hamid from the Sholonal area said: “I have never seen so much water in my life. Everything we had was submerged. We are left destitute.”
As of noon, Sahida Akhtar, Burichang Upazila chief executive, or UNO, said 43,750 people are currently stranded in the Upazila. The total number of affected individuals is approximately 175,000.
“By 10am on Saturday, 3,000 men, 3,500 women, 4,000 children, 45 disabled individuals, and 600 livestock have reached the shelters. People are continuously moving towards these centres, and we are working to rescue and bring them to safety,” she added.
District Civil Surgeon Nasima Akhtar said 227 medical teams are operating in the flood-affected areas, particularly focusing on shelters.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md Abed Ali said: “Fourteen out of the 17 Upazilas in Cumilla are flood-affected. We are distributing relief and food supplies and have requested additional support from the ministry.”
The unprecedented flood has left Cumilla’s residents struggling to cope with the overwhelming disaster, as dreams and homes are swept away by the relentless waters.
[Writing in English by Arshi Fatiha Quazi]
