Devastating flood affects 29 lakh people in 8 districts, 2 dead

At least two people have died, and nearly 29 lakh others have been affected across eight districts as the flood situation worsens. The swelling rivers, fueled by torrential rains and upstream water surges, are causing severe conditions in the northeastern and eastern parts of the country.

Two deaths were reported from Fulgazi upazila in Feni district and Brahmanbaria district, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

Among the eight districts, Feni is the worst-hit with six upazilas submerged by floodwater, rendering 3 lakh people stranded.

Floodwaters have severely damaged power lines, causing a complete blackout in Parshuram, Fulgazi, and Chhagalnaiya upazilas since Tuesday. The ongoing power outage and disrupted mobile network coverage have worsened the crisis, leaving residents stranded and cut off from communication.

Additional secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief KM Ali Reza briefed the media about the overall flood situation of the country at the secretariat on Thursday.

Since the flood began on Tuesday, eight districts have so far been affected. The affected districts are Cumilla, Feni, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj and Moulvibazar where 357 unions under 50 upazilas were submerged, affecting 29, 4, 946 people, he said.

He said the water level of major rivers in the northeastern and eastern parts of the country is rising. According to the weather agencies, the trend of heavy rains may decrease in the northern, eastern and adjoining upstream areas of the country in the next 24 hours.

The flood situation in the low-lying areas of Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts along the Manu, Khowai and Dholai rivers may initially remain stable and improve later, he said.

Quoting weather offices, Ali Reza said that in the next 24 hours, the trend of heavy rains may decrease in the southeast, eastern and adjoining upstream areas of the country.

The flood situation in the low-lying areas of Feni, Cumilla and Chattogram districts along the rivers Muhuri, Feni, Gumti, Halda may initially remain stable but may improve later, he added.

A total of 4, 40, 480 families have been stranded by floodwaters in eight districts. A total of 1, 534 shelter centres have been opened while 75, 668 people have taken refuge.

In the flood-hit districts, 444 medical teams have been working to ensure treatment of the people.