2 million stranded as Noakhali flooding causes extreme hardship

As many as 2 million people were stranded as the homes, rural roads, and educational institutions across all nine upazilas of Noakhali district have submerged due to heavy rainfall over the past several days

Fearing the flood crisis, locals are calling for military assistance to clear the blocked canals and improve water drainage.

Low-lying areas in the Sadar, Subarnachar, Senbagh, Sonaimuri, Chatkhil, Begumganj, Kabirhat, Companiganj, and Subarnachar upazilas are inundated, causing immense hardship for the residents. Apart from home and roads, the floodwaters have also submerged paddy seedbeds and vegetable fields, leaving farmers unable to plant Aman rice.

With roads and homes submerged, waterlogged conditions have left around 2 million people in dire straits. Poor drainage has exacerbated the situation, causing prolonged waterlogging and extreme suffering for the people of district. 

The stranded residents are urgently calling for the military to step in and clear blocked canals and illegal structures to alleviate the situation.

The local weather office reported 174 millimeters of rain between 6 AM on Monday and 6 AM on Tuesday, with the downpour continuing throughout the day.

Noakhali's weather officer Md. Rafiqul Islam, explained that the heavy rainfall was caused by a depression over the Bay of Bengal. He also confirmed the significant amount of rain recorded over the past days, with warnings in place for fishermen to remain near the coast.

Munshi Amir Faisal, Executive Engineer of Noakhali Water Development Board, stated that the district has experienced record rainfall, unlike anything seen in the past 20 years. Additionally, high tides have prevented the water from receding. "The Water Development Board has undertaken a project to excavate 161 kilometers of canals in and around the city to improve drainage, but maintenance of drains and canals is crucial for complete relief from waterlogging."

District Commissioner Dewan Mahbubur Rahman assured that efforts are underway, with the support of various agencies, to alleviate the waterlogging. Illegal barriers have already been removed to help restore normal water flow. He also mentioned that as the rainfall decreases, water levels are expected to recede. 

Furthermore, all secondary and primary schools, madrasas, and other institutions at the upazila level have been instructed to provide shelter to flood-affected people. The administration is committed to providing the necessary assistance wherever required.

Correspondent/MIUS