Continuous heavy rainfall has once again submerged Noakhali, causing severe waterlogging that has left around 12 lakh people marooned.
It was reported that low-lying areas of several upazilas in the district have been flooded on Saturday due to the continour downpour, with homes and roads submerged. Roads went underwater, and water has entered homes, causing extreme inconvenience to the residents due to the poor drainage system.
According to the district weather office, 49 mm of rainfall was recorded in the 24 hours leading up to 9 AM on Saturday, and 42 mm more from 6 AM to 12 PM today.
The district administration reported that nearly 11.95 lakh people across 87 unions in the eight upazilas of Noakhali are currently stranded due to waterlogging. Additionally, 2,185 people have taken shelter in 38 relief centers.
Md. Faruk Hossain, a resident of Begumganj upazila, said that due to the continuous rain since morning, almost all villages in Begumganj upazila are waterlogged. The flood situation in the low-lying areas has deteriorated significantly. The previous floodwater has not yet drained due to the failure of the drainage system, and the new rainfall has only worsened the situation.
Md. Sujon, a resident of Sadar upazila, told that the floodwater had started receding, but it has risen again due to the rain. A similar situation occurred last month. The poor drainage system is to blame for these conditions. No one is helping or paying attention to the situation.
Weather Department official Md. Rafiqul Islam told that heavy rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours, as per the weather forecast.
District Commissioner Khandaker Ishtiaq Ahmed said that they are aware of the worsening waterlogging and flood situation due to heavy rainfall. He has instructed the concerned Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) and Project Implementation Officers to ensure that no one suffers from a lack of food.
Several initiatives have been started for water drainage, and he hopes that the situation will improve quickly if there is no further rainfall, he added.
