2024-08-23 10:30:29
Feni, Comilla, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Chittagong, Khagrachari, Moulvibazar and Habiganj – eight districts of the country are facing dire humanitarian crisis. Millions of people have been trapped in the flood. Several teams of army, navy, fire service are working to rescue the flood victims. Besides, various voluntary organizations are also conducting rescue operations. However, the flood water may start receding within a day or two, said the Center for Forecasting and Warning.
On Friday (August 23), Sardar Uday Raihan, executive engineer of the Center for Forecasting and Warning, said that the water level of the main rivers in the northeastern, eastern and southeastern regions of the country is decreasing at a slow pace. In the last 24 hours, heavy rainfall was not observed in eastern Comilla, Brahmanbaria and Feni districts bordering Indian Tripura and interior basins of Tripura province and the water level of upstream rivers started receding. As a result, the existing flood situation in the lower areas of Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Comilla and Chittagong districts is improving at a slow pace.
According to the information of meteorological agencies, there is no possibility of heavy rainfall in the north-eastern region of the country and adjacent uplands in the next 24 hours. At this time, the flood situation in the lower areas adjacent to the Manu, Khoai, Dhalai rivers of Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts in the northeastern region may improve.
According to the information of the meteorological agencies, there is no possibility of heavy rainfall in the southeast, eastern and adjacent uplands of the country in the next 24 hours. At this time, the flood situation in the lower areas adjacent to rivers such as Feni, Comilla and Muhuri, Feni, Gomti, Halda in Chittagong district may improve.
Uday Raihan said that the water level of Brahmaputra-Yamuna river is decreasing, on the other hand, the water level of Ganga-Padma river is stable, which may continue for the next 48 hours. The water level of Surma-Kushiara river in northeastern part of the country is stable, which may decrease in the next 24 hours. The water level of Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers in the northern part of the country is decreasing. Normal flow of these rivers may prevail in the next 48 hours.
Mehdi Hasan, Deputy Divisional Engineer of Forecast and Warning Center, said that there is no possibility of heavy rain in the next 24 hours. Upstream the rain has eased and conditions are improving there. Water is running low in India. It will affect the country as well. Hopefully, the water may stabilize today. Water may start receding from tomorrow. The flood situation may improve later.
Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Adviser Farooq E Azam said that the administration is working to protect the lives and property of the people in the flood. The government is fully prepared to deal with disaster situations.
Weather experts said that a low pressure formed in the Bay of Bengal about a week ago. Due to this, the rain increased. However, heavy rain started for three days in Chittagong, Comilla, Feni, Khagrachari and various parts of South East. Rains started in Sylhet region from the day before yesterday, along with the rain coming down from Tripura. It caused floods in Chittagong, Feni, Laxmipur, Comilla, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Khagrachari, Rangamati, Cox’s Bazar, Habiganj, Sylhet and Moulvibazar.
Millions of people are trapped in the flood water and are living the life of humanity. Six upazilas including Feni Sadar are completely submerged in water. The worst situation is in Parashuram, Chagalnaya and Phulghazi. Relatives outside these areas are unable to contact them. Sleepless night their fears, how are the loved ones? There is no electricity, no mobile communication. Water and water in these areas as far as the eye can see. One-story houses are submerged in water. Some chest water, some up to the throat.
According to data from the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, heavy to very heavy rains have occurred in eastern Comilla, Brahmanbaria and Feni bordering Indian Tripura and inland basins of Tripura state in the last 24 hours. The water of Feni’s Muhuri, Kahua and Ceylona rivers is flowing far above the Bipatsima with the water coming from India. The overflowing river has worsened the flood situation.
KM Ali Reza, additional secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, said that 4 lakh 40 thousand 840 families have been trapped in water. The number of affected people is 29 lakh 4 thousand 964.
According to the information of the ministry, 1 thousand 534 shelters have been opened in eight flood affected districts. Several teams of army, navy, fire service are working to rescue the flood victims. Besides, various voluntary organizations are also conducting rescue operations. Control rooms have been set up by various agencies of the government to deal with the flood situation. However, rescue operations are hampered due to loss of communication and strong current of water. With the passage of time, the desire of Banvasi people to survive in isolated areas has become stronger.
According to the Meteorological Department, the maximum rainfall was 164 mm till 6 am on Friday. Besides, 151 mm of rain has been recorded in Cox’s Bazar, 143 mm in Chittagong and 97 mm in Rangamati.