500,000 people trapped in Chakaria-Pekua and Matamuhuri

Flood situation has taken a terrible turn in Chakaria, Pekua and Matamuhuri upazilas of Cox's Bazar due to five days of continuous rain and torrential rains coming down from upstream. As several embankments broke and flooded new areas, about 500,000 people in 25 unions and two municipalities of the three upazilas have been trapped in water.

Due to the flood, traffic on the internal roads of Chakaria, Pekua and Matamuhuri is closed. Meanwhile, a girl named Hasnatul Jannat Jharna, 12, died in a boat capsizing in the floodwaters in Chakaria.

It was seen on the spot that a vast area of ​​Surajpur-Manikpur and Kakara unions, the entrance to the torrential rains, is submerged under 5 to 6 feet of water. Various parts of the Jiddabazar-Kakara-Manikpur road have been submerged in the overflowing water of the Matamuhuri river. In addition, several embankments have broken and water is entering the localities, flooding new areas.

A large number of people in Chakaria's Kakara, Surajpur-Manikpur, Lakshyachar, Koiyarbil, Baritali, Harbang, Chiringa, Phansiakhali, Dulahazara and Khutakhali unions and Pekua municipality, as well as Mehernama, Ujantia, Magnama, Rajakhali, Toitong, Shilkhali and Barbakia unions have been waterlogged.

More than a million people in Saharbil, Badarkhali, Konakhali, Dhemushia, Purba Bora Bheola, Paschim Bora Bheola and BMchar unions of the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila have also been affected by floods.

Chakaria Municipality BNP General Secretary M. Abdur Rahim said that all the wards of the municipality have been submerged under water due to heavy rains. Efforts are being made to drain the water quickly locally. In addition, dry food and cooked food are being distributed to the people stranded in the water.

Nurul Islam, a resident of Surajpur-Manikpur Union, said that most families have stopped cooking for the last three days. They are spending their days eating dry food.

Pekua Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rafiqul Islam said that after visiting different areas of the upazila, it was found that lakhs of people are stranded in the water. Arrangements have been made for dry and cooked food for the affected people.

Chakaria and Matamuhuri Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shahin Delwar said that the flood water is rising as the rain continues. In Chakaria alone, 30 to 4 lakh people are stranded in the water. The affected people are being taken to shelters and the district administration has allocated 30 metric tons of rice for the two upazilas. In addition, an application has been made to the district administration for more relief assistance.