Hundreds of villages inundated by floods in Feni, rescue operations hampered by strong currents

Heavy rains and landslides from upstream have flooded hundreds of villages in Parashuram, Phulgazi and Chagalnaya upazilas of Feni. Millions of people are trapped in water. On Wednesday (August 21) around 11:30 am, the water of Muhuri river is flowing 86 cm above the danger line. Meanwhile, rescue operations are hampered due to lack of boats and water currents.

According to local sources, lakhs of people in Parshuram, Fulgazi and Chagalnaya upazilas of Feni have been affected by the third round of floods in a span of one and a half months. Due to the heavy rains and rising water of the last few days, water started entering the locality through the break point of the flood control dams of Muhuri, Kahua and Ceylonia rivers from Monday afternoon. Roads, houses, crops and fish enclosures of three upazilas have been submerged in water. Hundreds of villages have been inundated by water entering the locality. Traffic on the Feni-Parashuram regional road and internal roads of the upazila is closed. The electricity connection has also been cut due to damaged lines.

Habib Swapan, a resident of Parashuram's Solia area, said that we need boats or speedboats more than relief. No one understood that the flood situation would be like this. Many said that they were coming to rescue at night, but no one was seen. No electricity since Monday night. Due to lack of electricity, mobile network along with floods, there has been a lot of suffering.

Zahirul Islam Raju, a resident of North Daulatpur area of ​​Fulgazi, said that around 3 o'clock in the night, he took shelter with his family and a small child on his head with water up to his chest. All around is water. All the houses are submerged. Couldn't figure out anything.

Lokman Hossain, a resident of Kismat Ghaniamora area, said that the roof of the house was submerged in water. Two boats are working to rescue the trapped people, but it is being disrupted due to the current of water. In such a situation, the cooperation of the army is more necessary. Due to lack of electricity and mobile network for two days, people are suffering more. Besides, I have come to know that Dambur Gate has been opened in Tripura, India. Meanwhile, the water pressure is likely to increase.

Sub-Divisional Engineer of Feni Water Development Board (D.D.) Md. Abul Kashem said, the water of the river is flowing 86 cm above the boundary line. So much water has never been seen before. There is no adequate system for rescuing people. We are helpless. The situation is very bad. The water is still rising with the rain.

Parashuram Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Afroza Habib Shapla said that many people are trapped in Chithlia, Solia and Alka areas of the upazila. Rescue work is going on with fire service and students since night. But due to the shortage of boats and water flow, it is not possible to work properly. Speedboats are needed at the moment. The higher authorities have been informed about this.

Mohammad Moniruzzaman, senior observer of Feni Meteorological Department, said that moderate and heavy rains have continued in Feni for three consecutive days. The district recorded 97 mm rainfall in 24 hours till 10:30 am on Wednesday. Rain is likely to continue for the next 72 hours.

Feni Deputy Commissioner Mosa. Shahina Akhtar said that a team of army and coast guard will soon go to rescue the flood victims with speedboats. Since there is no river route from the district town, we have to get some speed to take the speedboat for transport. Besides, BGB members are working on rescue in the border area.