Thousands remain stranded five days after floodwaters engulfed Satkania

Residents say every single-storey home in the village have been flooded

For five days, nearly 2,000 families in Temuhani village of Satkania have lived surrounded by floodwater, cut off from roads, livelihoods and, for many, hope.

As the waters slowly recede, stories of isolation and hardship are emerging from the submerged community.

Floodwaters began entering the area on the night of Jul 7 after heavy rain, swollen flows from the Sangu River and blocked drainage through Naya, Dolu and Gorla canals, residents said.

On Monday, the road linking the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway to Temuhani lay under about 10ft of water, leaving boats as the only means of transport.

"I stepped out of my house for the first time in five days [on Monday]. We've endured immense hardship," Abul Bashar said, recalling how floodwater trapped his family inside their home.

He said some government and private relief had reached the village.

As boats ferried residents through what were once village roads, Nurul Islam said he was taking a patient to Baidyabari -- a journey that previously took place by road. Now, boats charge Tk 30 per passenger.

The flood has also brought livelihoods to a halt.

Grocer Abdul Gani blamed the prolonged inundation on the silted-up Naya Canal, saying his shop had remained closed since the waters rose.

Elsewhere, Bijli Talukdar stood waist-deep outside a Hindu neighbourhood, saying she had spent days trapped at home without receiving any relief.

Another local Sujan Kanti Sushil said only two-storey houses had escaped the flood, blaming blocked canals and brick kilns for preventing water from draining away.

Md Osman, a tea stall owner, echoed concerns over relief distribution, saying aid had reached some parts of the village while many families living deeper inside remained overlooked.

Volunteer group Dewanhat Blood Bank reached the village by boat with cooked food, drinking water and medicines, saying they would help as much as possible.

Officials said more than 620,000 people from about 149,270 families remained stranded across Chattogram as of Sunday night, with 13 deaths reported, including three in Satkania.

Floods affected 152 municipalities and unions in 15 Upazilas, while 85 percent of Satkania was inundated.

Authorities have distributed 100 tonnes of rice and Tk 900,000 in cash, but say another 500 tonnes of rice, Tk 1 million and 500 bundles of corrugated sheets are urgently needed.

By Monday afternoon, sunshine returned for the first time in nine days, though vast areas of Satkania remained underwater.