Slow drainage in Noakhali worsens flood impact on residents

After four days of continuous heavy rain and flash floods, the weather in Noakhali cleared up and became sunny on Friday (July 11). However, water is still standing in many low-lying and urban areas, causing problems for the residents. Because the water is draining slowly, people in both the city and villages are facing severe difficulties.

According to the District Relief and Rehabilitation Office, six upazilas in the district with 57 unions have been affected by floods due to heavy rain and flash floods. About 46,070 families, totaling at least 192,503 people, are trapped by the floodwaters. In Kabirhat and Subarnachar upazilas, 45 houses were partially damaged, and one house in Subarnachar completely collapsed.

Visits to various parts of the district revealed that areas such as Maijdee’s Lakshminarayanpur, Central Road, the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, District Arts Academy, neighborhoods near the railway line, Moktar Mosque, District Judge Court Road, Chabim Mia Road, Hakim Quarter, Al Faruq Academy, and Methor Palli remain flooded. Numerous houses in these locations have also been affected by the floodwaters.

Although the weather has partially returned to normal after the continuous rain, locals report that flooding and waterlogging have seen little improvement. They also expressed concern that without rapid drainage, health risks could rise.