200 villages flooded in Feni, nearly 200,000 people trapped by the water

282 mm of rain has been recorded in the past 48 hours and showers may continue for several days, the forecast says

More than 200 villages have been inundated in the Fulgazi, Parshuram, and Chagalnaiya Upazilas in Feni in a third round of floods this year. Nearly 200,000 are living in waterlogged conditions.

Meanwhile, one person swept away by strong currents has gone missing. A new dam has been breached at a point on the Silonia River.

The Fulgazi and Parshuram Upazilas have been cut off from the Sadar areas due to the main road being submerged under two to four feet of water.

The local Met Office has recorded 97 mm of rainfall in the district in the past 24 hours.

Mohammad Moniruzzaman, senior observer of the Feni Meteorological Department, said that 282 mm of rain has been recorded over the last 48 hours. Rain is likely to continue in the district for the next few days.

Abul Kashem, subdivisional engineer for the Feni Water Development Board, said the water of the Muhuri River is flowing 85 cm above the danger level due to continuous rains and mountain runoff. Water is rushing into the locality through the 27 broken sections of the Muhuri-Kahua-Silonia river flood control dam.

He said that 26 dams broke in the last flood, leading to a deterioration of the situation in the district. Several organisations, including the Fire Service, are rescuing people trapped by the water and taking them to safe shelters.

Afroza Habib, Parshuram Upazila executive officer, said one person is missing after being washed away by the strong current. About 100 people have been rescued by boats as of Tuesday night. The assistance of the Army and Coast Guard has been sought to conduct rescue operations on an urgent basis.

Shahidullah Chowdhury Kismat of Bandua village in Fulgazi Upazila said: “I have never seen such a flood in all my years. There was water in the courtyard of the house on Tuesday afternoon and it entered the house on Wednesday morning. I have sent the children elsewhere due to the water.”

Nasreen Begum of the same village said that her stove was submerged in water and she has not been able to cook since Tuesday. Everyone in the house is hungry and they are not receiving any kind of help

Fulgazi Upazila executive officer Tanya Bhuiyan said: "Most of the villages in the six unions have been inundated in the worst flood in the Upazila’s recorded history. Many people are stuck due to the water. The water level is on the rise. One death has been reported so far."

She said that since 10pm on Tuesday, flood victims were being rescued in two dinghy boats and taken to safe shelters with the help of the Fire Service and volunteer students. About 300 people have been rescued so far. Rescue operations are also underway with support from the Army and Coast Guard.

Tanya also said: "Five hundred packets of dry food have been distributed so far by the Upazila administration. We have another 500 packets of dry food and 18 tonnes of rice in stock.”

Mahbuba Tabassum Ima, a volunteer working to rescue flood victims, said they have been working for two days to rescue hundreds of volunteers trapped in water. However, due to high water, the rescue operations cannot be carried out by dinghy boat. It is not possible to go to the affected areas of Fulgazi and Parshuram without speedboats.

Abu Yusuf of Shaldhar village in Parshuram said: “Single-floor houses in most areas have been submerged. There is nowhere you can take shelter. No action is being taken to rescue the flood victims. "

Meanwhile, most of the roads in the city of Feni have been submerged due to continuous rain. As a result, residents and pedestrians are suffering greatly.

Mizan Road, Academy Road, Shaheen Academy, Shaheed Shahidullah Kaiser Road, Rampur, Takia Road, Abu Bakkar Road, various lanes of Feni Bara Bazar, the Barahipur area, Mohipal Chowdhury Bari Road, and Pathan Bari Road are under water.

The engines of CNG-powered autorickshaws on the streets are shutting down as water enters their engines.

Feni Municipal Secretary Syed Md Abuzar Gifri said that it is taking time for the water to recede from the road due to the heavy rains of the past few days. Cleaners are working to clean the various drains of the city. This activity will continue until the water recedes.

Deputy Commissioner Mosammat Shahina Akhtar said that all measures are being taken to help the flood victims.