Flood hits Noakhali people again amid struggle for survival

More than five million flood-affected and water-logged people of Noakhali and Feni are facing the second round of floods at a time when they were embarking on a tough struggle to turn around to a new beginning of life and livelihood.

The flood affected people were only returning to their homesteads after leaving the shelters as the flood waters receded. Preparations for living again were going on by repairing the destroyed house. In this situation, many are now being forced to return to the shelter again as the water level has increased drastically due to incessant rainfall during the last three days. Snake infestation and outbreak of various water-borne diseases have added insult to injury.

According to the Meteorological Department and the Flood Forecasting & Warning Centre, the first phase of flood water started to recede from last Friday. But since Friday night, three days of continuous rain has increased the water level of the rivers again by one and a half feet. Noakhali district is going to be affected by severe floods due to continuous heavy rains.

During spot visit, this correspondent witnessed the increasing panic of flood-affected and displaced people. The people who have just returned home are running to the shelter again. Suffering from snakebites again.

About 5 million people of Noakhali-Feni region have been ‘drowning’ in flood water for the past one and a half months. Just as the displaced people were starting to return home from the shelters after the flood situation had improved, the continued heavy rains started again.

Since Friday (September 13) night, the lower areas of different upazilas of Noakhali have been flooding due to heavy rainfall. Homes and roads that were emerging with the receding of water have been flooded again. As the water rises in the houses, many are running towards the shelters for the second time.

The district Meteorological Office said that more than 120mm of rain has been recorded every day for the past two days.

About 2400 flood-affected people stayed in a shelter supervised by Abdur Rashid of Chramtua union of Sadar upazila during the first round of floods.

Rashid told the Views Bangladesh that people who had stayed in shelter centres for about 20 days just started returning home, but unfortunately, they are now forced to return to the shelters again since yesterday (September 14).

Mozammel Hosen of Lakshinarayanpur of Noakhali Sadar said, "I was just starting to repair the house as soon as the flood water receded, at such a time this heavy rain has come as a severe blow."

Suman Sikdar, a resident of Chwani Union of Begumganj Upazila, said, “The time when the flood water subsided to start the reconstruction of houses, this heavy rain has again appeared as a severe blow to the people.”

Suman came home 3 days ago as the flood situation returned to normalcy. “Many things have been arranged to make the home habitable and suitable for living. But, leaving the work unfinished, we are now forced to return to the shelters again because of yesterday's rain. Without God's help, we have nothing else to do,” he said.

Abdur Rahim of Noyannui union told the Views Bangladesh, “There was no water on the roads for the past several days. All were dry. Again, the entire road and house went under water due to overnight rain. As a result, the flood situation is worsening. Besides, there is now a plague of snakes. May God help us all.”

Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Khandkar Istiaq Ahmed said, “Noakhali is again affected by floods. The upazila administrations are in touch with remote areas. Shelters have been prepared. People are coming to shelters. We expect our flood situation to gradually normalize if there is no rain.”

District Meteorological Officer Md Rafiqul Islam said that there was no rain during the daytime on Friday. But a heavy downpour started at night. Light to moderate rain and thundershowers along with gusts of wind are occurring due to the low pressure over the Bay of Bengal. At some places, moderate to heavy rain is happening. Till 9:00 am on Saturday, 111 mm of rain has fallen in the last 24 hours. At present, the heavy downpour is continuing on Sunday also with warning number 3 hoisted at the sea ports of the country.

Hatia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Subhashish Chakma said, “About 10 fishing trawlers of Hatia have sunk in hostile weather. Due to this, more than 30 fishermen are still missing. We are currently cut off from all communications with Hatiya island. No one can come or go there.”

According to the information of the Deputy Commissioner office, about 11,55,300 people of 87 unions under eight upazilas in Noakhali are trapped in water while around 50,000 people have taken refuge in 339 shelter centres.