Low-lying areas of Rangamati flooded, communication cut off

Four days of continuous heavy rains and landslides have flooded vast low-lying areas of Baghaichhari and Bilaichhari upazilas of Rangamati. Thousands of people have been stranded. At the same time, a section of the Dighinala-Bagaichhari road collapsed, cutting off road communication and effectively rendering Baghaichhari, the country's largest upazila, virtually immobile.

The continuous rains that started last Monday (July 6) have caused flooding in various rivers, streams and mountain streams in the district. Although the rainfall has decreased slightly since Thursday (July 9) morning, the extent of the flooded area has increased further.

According to the Rangamati Meteorological Observatory, 130 millimeters of rainfall has been recorded in the district in the last 24 hours.

It was found that the houses and crop lands of about 30 villages in several wards of Baghaichhari Municipality of the district are submerged in flood water. The residents there are in extreme distress. Many are staying in shelters with their pets. In addition, Farua Bazar and some villages in Bilaichhari Upazila have been submerged in the water of the hilly slope. On the other hand, road communication with Rangamati is temporarily closed due to the submergence of the Mahalachhari Road in Khagrachari. With the deterioration of the disaster situation, the number of affected people in shelters is also increasing.

Meanwhile, the road has collapsed at the 3-mile point of the Dighinala-Baghachhari road, blocking traffic. This has effectively brought the country's largest upazila, Baghaichhari, to a standstill. The Roads and Townships Department has been unable to take any effective steps to repair the collapsed road due to water in the Dighinala section of the road.

In this regard, Khagrachari Road and Township Department Deputy Assistant Engineer Priyadarshi Chakma said, "We could not go to the spot due to water rising in various places due to rain. However, we have informed the matter to the senior officer. Providing a safety grade wall can be a permanent solution."

Baghaichhari Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Amena Marjan said that floods have occurred in Baghaichhari due to heavy rainfall. A total of 14 shelters have been opened in the upazila, including three in the municipality, where about 2,518 people are staying.

According to the latest information released by the district administration at 8 pm on Thursday, a total of 140 shelters have been opened in the district, where a total of 4,392 people have taken shelter. Landslides have occurred in 104 places, both big and small, in the district due to the ongoing heavy rains. Of these, 37 places are in Bilaichhari upazila, 30 in Kaukhali upazila, 15 in Kaptai upazila, 13 in Sadar upazila, 4 in Longadu upazila, 3 in Baghaichhari upazila and two places in Naniarchar upazila.

In this regard, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Saiful Islam said that people staying in the shelters are being provided with three meals a day along with drinking water. Relief supplies are continuing to be provided to flood-affected families. In addition, the administration's mobile teams are working to bring flood-affected families and residents living in risky areas to the shelters