Flooded Noakhali, 2 million people trapped in water

The entire Noakhali has been submerged in heavy rains for several days. In all the 9 upazilas, houses, rural roads and educational institutions have been submerged in flood water. Millions of people are getting stuck in water. This has caused fear of flood among the people. The locals want the army's help in rescuing the canal and draining the water.

It is known that waterlogging has occurred in the entire Noakhali district due to continuous heavy rains for a week. Most of the low-lying areas of Sadar, Senbagh, Sonaimuri, Chatkhil, Begumganj, Kabirhat, Companyganj, Subarnachar upazilas of the district have been flooded. The residents of these upazilas have suffered endlessly. Aman paddy seeds, vegetables have been drowned in rain water. Besides, due to high water in the fields, farmers in many areas are not able to plant crops. 2 million people are stuck in the flood. Roads are submerged, water is also entering houses. The people of Noakhali have to suffer due to long-term widespread flooding due to poor drainage system. The water-logged people demanded to take effective steps to resolve the flood quickly with the help of the army.

According to the Meteorological Office, 174 millimeters of rain fell between 6 am on Monday (August 19) and 6 am on Tuesday. Rain continues during the day.

Rezaul Haque, a resident of Paschim Char Uria of Sadar Upazila of the district, said that the water has risen around the house due to heavy rains for several days. The road is submerged. Water has now entered the kitchen due to last night's heavy rain. No one in the house can leave the house. As a result, great suffering has occurred.

Locals said that all the roads of the city were submerged under water. Water is boiling inside people's houses. People are unable to leave their homes. The road is empty. Due to which I am not getting any passengers. The family members are also stuck in water at home. How to live, I do not understand anything.

Sahab Uddin, a resident of Companyganj upazila, said that the roads have sunk and now the water has entered people's houses. Everything was washed away, including the fish enclosure. I have never seen so much water before. When it rains the water goes down but this time the water is not coming down. Waterborne diseases are on the rise.

Rubel, a resident of Kabirhat upazila, said that we have to walk with knee-deep water. Influential people have fenced the fish illegally in different places. Illegal structures have been constructed by occupying the canal. Houses have also been constructed by occupying canals. Due to which the water is not coming down. If the army had demolished these illegal structures and cleared the canal, there would have been no flooding.

Ibrahim of Senbagh Upazila said that water has accumulated in the courtyard of the house due to continuous rain. Water in the kitchen. I could not even cook today because of the water. Tap water comes with dirt. We are helpless.

Farzana Akhter, a resident of Harich Chaudhuri area of ​​Subarnachar upazila, said that agricultural land in most areas of Subarnachar has been submerged. The seedbed is destroyed. Farmers sit with folded hands. If the administration had arranged water drainage then the farmer could have survived.

Low income people are in extreme danger due to waterlogging across the district. Water-borne diseases have appeared mixed with rainwater. Locals have called on the administration and the rich to stand by these people.

Mir Rafiqul Islam, Meteorological Officer of Noakhali, said that due to the low pressure created in the Bay of Bengal, there has been continuous rain. 174 millimeters of rain fell from 6 am on Monday to 6 am on Tuesday. Rain continues during the day. As the warning signal is in effect we have asked fishermen to stay inshore.

Executive Engineer of Water Development Board Noakhali, Munshi Amir Faisal said, Noakhali has received a record amount of rain. Which has not happened in the last 20 years. Besides, the water cannot go down because of the tide. We have excavated 161 km of canals in and around the city as a flood control project. By doing this, water is supposed to be drained in all upazilas. Moreover, maintenance of drains and drains is necessary to get rid of waterlogging completely.

Deputy Commissioner Dewan Mahbubur Rahman said, with the cooperation of all, we are working to resolve the waterlogging. Work has already started to normalize the water by cutting various illegal dams. If the rainfall decreases, the water will decrease. Apart from this, heads of institutions of all secondary, primary institutions and madrasas at the upazila level have been asked to provide shelter to the flood-affected people. Where ever the cooperation is needed we are doing it.

Muntasir/Saa