Floods leave over 7.5 lakh people marooned in Ctg

Highlights:

• Nearly 1.89 lakh families stranded as floods worsen in Chattogram.
• At least 8 people killed in flood-related incidents so far.
• Satkania and Banshkhali are the most affected areas, with more than five lakh people stranded.

Nearly 1.89 lakh families have been left stranded as heavy rain, hill runoff and tidal water flooded large parts of Chattogram, affecting more than 7.5 lakh people.

As of this afternoon (10 July), all 15 upazilas along with Chattogram city were affected by floods, landslides and heavy rainfall, according to district administration data. A total of 673 shelters have been opened, where 23,853 people are currently staying.

So far, at least eight people have died in separate flood-related incidents in Chattogram.

The victims include Ashik, 11, and Miraj, 6, of Baharchhara Union in Banshkhali; Mostakim, 3, of Raozan; Md Saeed, 17, of Charati Union in Satkania; Mohammad Ashraful Islam Tanvir, 10 months, of Sitakunda; Samia Akter, 11, of Panchlaish in Chattogram city; a woman from Rangunia; and fish trader Shafiqul Rahman, 30, of East Nasirabad area in Chattogram city.

The situation has worsened in Satkania and Banshkhali upazilas, with several remote areas still struggling to access relief due to waterlogging and disrupted communication.

In Satkania, floodwaters from the Sangu and Dolu rivers, along with hill runoff, have submerged large parts of Bajalia, Keochia, Chadaha, Kaliash, Dharmapur, Khagaria, Amilais, Dhemsa, Nalua, Charati and Puranagar unions.

Homes, farmland, fish farms, shops and local roads have gone underwater in many areas, forcing locals to rely on boats for movement.

Mohammad Morshedur Rahman, chairman of Chadaha Union, told TBS that at least five wards of the union were completely submerged and around 1.5 thousand families were affected.

"Water is knee- to neck-deep in some areas. The one tonne of rice allocated by the upazila administration could not be brought because of the water. It will be distributed among affected people tomorrow," he said.

A view of rising floodwaters in Chattogram, where over 7.5 lakh people have been affected by the worsening flood situation. Photo: TBS

Khondaker Mahmudul Hasan, upazila nirbahi officer of Satkania, said more than four lakh people were stranded in the upazila.

"Around 50%of agricultural land has been completely damaged. We have distributed 2,000 packets of dry food and 17 tonnes of rice so far. We are planning to use speedboats with the help of the army for rescue and relief operations," he said.

In Banshkhali, 14 unions have been affected, with the situation worsening in Baharchhara, Katharia, Gandamara, Shekherkhil, Saral, Chhanua, Khan Khanabad and Gunagari unions.

Locals said thousands of mud houses had collapsed and many areas had remained without electricity for three days. Shortages of drinking water, baby food and medicines have also been reported.

Shahed Hossain, a resident of Baharchhara, said most mud houses in the area had collapsed.

"People are providing some assistance privately, but government relief has yet to reach remote areas like Baharchhara, Katharia, Shekherkhil, Khan Khanabad and Gandamara. There has been no electricity for three days, and mobile networks are also down," he told TBS.

Floodwaters surround homes in Chattogram’s affected areas as heavy rain and hill runoff leave thousands of people stranded. Photo: TBS

Md Ruhul Amin, upazila nirbahi officer of Banshkhali, said around 50% of the upazila remained underwater, leaving more than one lakh people stranded.

"We have distributed 46 tonnes of rice, five thousand packets of dry food and six thousand cooked food packets. However, relief could not reach some areas due to high water levels and disrupted communication," he said.

Meanwhile, floodwaters in parts of Chattogram city started receding today as rainfall eased, though many locals continued to suffer with water still trapped inside homes.

Low-lying areas of Fatikchhari, Raozan, Hathazari, Mirsarai and Anwara have also been affected by flooding, with submerged rural roads disrupting communication. The administration said it was monitoring the situation and advising locals in vulnerable areas to move to shelters if necessary.

The Met Office said Chattogram recorded 154mm of rainfall in the 24 hours till 3:00pm today. A local cautionary signal No 3 remains in place at the seaport, and heavy rainfall may continue until 12 July.