Flood in Noakhali : 200,000 people stranded in waters, sufferings mounting Noakhali water level is decreasing slowly
Md. Selim, Noakhali
After four consecutive days of hilly slopes and torrential rains, sunny weather has prevailed in Noakhali for two consecutive days. This has improved the waterlogging situation in most upazilas to some extent.
However, water has increased in a few villages including Hajipur, Durgapur and Laxminarayanpur villages of Begumganj upazila. Locals believe that the water has increased in this region due to the inflow of water from Feni and the lack of rain.
On Saturday (July 11) morning, residents of Sadar, Subarnachar, Companiganj and Kabirhat upazilas of the district said that the water in their areas was receding slowly. Due to this, public suffering has become extreme as flood water is still accumulating in most areas.
According to the District Relief and Rehabilitation Office, 57 unions in six upazilas of the district have been flooded due to heavy rains and landslides. About 192,503 people from 46,070 families are in water-logged conditions. 45 households have been partially damaged in Kabirhat and Subarnachar upazilas. One household in Subarnachar was completely damaged.
Locals complain that the city residents are suffering due to the lack of adequate drainage system and the filling of drains and water bodies. Many are blaming the authorities for this. Even light rain caused waterlogging in the Noakhali Municipality area. Meanwhile, roads in several areas including Laxminarayanpur, Central Road, the Deputy Commissioner's Office, and the District Shilpakala Academy in Maijdi are still submerged in water. Many houses in the vicinity are also flooded. Although people got some relief during the break in the continuous rain, there has been no significant improvement in the waterlogging and flood situation.
District Meteorological Office Officer-in-Charge Rafiqul Islam said, "There has been no significant rainfall in Noakhali in the last 24 hours. There is no possibility of heavy rain for now. However, there may be drizzle."
Begumganj Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Arifur Rahman said, "I am not aware of the water level rising in some villages."
District Relief Officer Md. Masudur Rahman said that 1,850 people and 171 cattle have taken shelter in 47 shelters in five upazilas. 51 medical teams have been formed to treat the victims, of which 29 have started work. The flood damage report has already been sent to the ministry.
Deputy Commissioner Khandaker Istiak Ahmed said, "All efforts are being made to drain the water. If there is no rain, the waterlogging situation will improve quickly."
