Dr Shafiq visits flood-hit Ctg, urges quick implementation of Teesta Master Plan

Opposition Leader and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, on Friday visited flood-affected areas in Chattogram to express solidarity with victims and assess the extent of the devastation caused by continuous rainfall and flash floods triggered by hill torrents.

After arriving in Chattogram by air from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday morning, Dr. Rahman travelled directly to the flood-stricken upazila of Banshkhali. During the visit, he met affected families, inspected inundated neighbourhoods and spoke with local residents to understand the challenges they are facing. He observed that many homes remained submerged and that thousands of people were living in severe hardship following the floods and landslides.

Addressing journalists during the visit, Dr. Rahman said standing beside disaster-hit people was both a humanitarian and moral responsibility. He called upon affluent individuals, charitable organisations, volunteer groups and people from all walks of life to extend assistance to flood victims according to their capacity.

Following the inspection, he distributed dry food and financial assistance among affected families and assured them that his party would continue its relief and rehabilitation efforts. He also announced plans to visit Satkania and several areas of Chattogram city to assess the situation and provide further assistance to those affected.

Dr. Rahman expressed concern over the overall flood situation in the country, saying that Chattogram, Sylhet, Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions were among the worst-affected regions. Referring to the recurring floods in northern Bangladesh, he warned that the country's flood situation could deteriorate further if the long-discussed Teesta Master Plan was not implemented.

"The government has pledged to implement the Teesta Master Plan. Given the scale of the project, it may take time, but people now expect to see visible progress," he said, adding that effective flood management required long-term planning alongside immediate disaster response.

The opposition leader also highlighted Chattogram city's chronic waterlogging problem, noting that even moderate rainfall often disrupts daily life in the country's commercial capital. He said improving drainage infrastructure and addressing the causes of waterlogging should be treated as a national priority to reduce public suffering.

Expressing condolences over the loss of lives caused by floods, landslides and related incidents, Dr. Rahman prayed for the victims and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved families. He said the recent discussions in Parliament on the flood situation reflected the seriousness of the crisis and stressed that relief, rehabilitation and preventive measures should be implemented without delay.

He further said that, despite its limited resources, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami had instructed its organisational units to continue relief operations, support bereaved families and coordinate humanitarian assistance across flood-affected areas.

Dr. Rahman was accompanied during the visit by Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General and Chattogram Regional Director Maulana Muhammad Shahjahan, Central Executive Council Member Shahjahan Chowdhury MP, Chattogram Metropolitan Ameer Muhammad Nazrul Islam, Chattogram South District Ameer Anwarul Alam Chowdhury, Chattogram-16 MP Maulana Zahirul Islam, along with other central and local party leaders.