13 villages in Bagha submerged under floodwater, thousands suffering

Thirteen of the 15 villages in Chakarajapur union of Bagha upazila in Rajshahi have been flooded due to continuous rainfall and the abnormal rise in river water levels. Roads, homes and croplands in villages including Atarpada, Diarkadirpur, Chaumadia, Kararinoshara, Nich Palashi and Kalidaskhali have gone under water, leaving thousands of people marooned.

A visit to the area on Monday, September 14, showed that most of the pucca and kutcha roads in the union are submerged in knee-to-waist-deep water. People are moving by boat in some places and wading through water in others. Water has entered the homes of many families. Lacking higher ground, some are living with water on their floors. Waterlogging has also halted students' access to schools.

Due to river erosion, Chaumadia and Fatepur Palashi government primary schools have had to relocate. Sohail Rana, headmaster of Chaumadia Government Primary School, said the school was relocated about a month ago due to erosion. However, knee-deep water has accumulated on the floor of the new location as well. Although students cannot attend, teachers must still go as the school has not been officially closed.

Golam Rabbani, Assistant Education Officer of the upazila, said Fatepur Palashi Government Primary School has been relocated due to erosion. Atarpada Government Primary School is currently out of danger, but it too could be at risk if the water rises further.

With croplands submerged, farmer and day labourer families are in severe crisis. Many day labourer households have lost their income due to a lack of work. At the same time, a crisis of cattle feed has emerged.

Local residents said that while many have managed to keep their living spaces somewhat intact, they cannot find safe, high ground for their cattle and goats. Alongside the crisis of safe drinking water, the sanitation system has also collapsed.

Marooned residents, including Kajal Fakir, Mia Khan, Halim Khan and Majnu Fakir, said being trapped in water for a long time has disrupted normal life. They cannot move around, work has stopped, and a food crisis has also emerged. They demanded immediate government assistance and relief.

Local residents including Raja Bapari, Sobhan Molla and Baten Molla made the same demand. They said they are facing major problems with cattle feed alongside the crisis affecting people.

Jaglu Sikder, general secretary of Chakarajapur Union BNP, said people in 13 of the union's 15 villages are now marooned. The situation is unlikely to improve until the river water recedes. Relief, safe drinking water and dry food need to be supplied urgently through government and private initiatives.

However, Upazila Executive Officer Taki Faisal Talukder said 100 families in Atarpada have been given 15 kg of rice each and 50 families in Nich Palashi village have been given 20 kg each. Residents of other affected villages will also be brought under assistance within the next one to two days.