The flood situation in Bangladesh's Feni district has taken a severe turn, with the areas of Parshuram, Phulgazi, and parts of Chhagalnaiya being submerged under water. Heavy rainfall and water from upstream regions in India have led to rivers overflowing and breaching their banks, putting thousands of lives at risk. Since Tuesday night, many new areas in Chhagalnaiya have been submerged, leaving thousands stranded and desperate for aid.
The rising waters have flooded rural roads, submerged agricultural fields, and washed away fish from ponds and fish farms, causing widespread devastation. The overflowing of the Muhuri, Kahua, and Silonia rivers, which flow through Feni, has led to the worsening flood situation, according to local residents. In Parshuram, one person has reportedly gone missing after being swept away by floodwaters. The regional road between Feni and Parshuram has been rendered impassable for all vehicles due to the waterlogging.
Rescue operations have been launched to evacuate people to safety. Small boats have been deployed to rescue those trapped by the rising waters, but most residents remain stranded. The Fire Service has been actively involved in the rescue efforts, but the situation has become so critical that the district administration has requested assistance from the Bangladesh Army and the Coast Guard.
The flood crisis started earlier this month, with heavy rains causing the Muhuri River's embankment to breach in 12 places in Parshuram on August 2. With continuous heavy rain over the past few days, the floodwaters have now submerged nearly 90% of the three upazilas (sub-districts). Additionally, the affected areas have been without electricity since last night, and many families are struggling to cook food due to the flooding.
According to Parshuram Upazila Executive Officer Afroza Habib, "The embankment in Parshuram had already been breached in 12 places. The excessive rainfall and water from upstream have worsened the situation, causing widespread flooding in the area. Approximately 95% of the municipal and union areas are now under water. The Fire Service has helped evacuate 100 people to shelters, and 500 families have been provided with dry food. We have stored an additional 500 packets of dry food and 50 tons of rice in anticipation of further needs. We have requested support from the Army and Coast Guard for the ongoing rescue efforts."
In Phulgazi, the situation is similarly dire, with thousands of people stranded in six unions. Phulgazi Upazila Executive Officer Tania Bhuiyan reported, "Water has entered many homes, causing significant hardship. Although no new breaches have appeared in the embankments along the Muhuri and Silonia rivers, the overflow from these rivers has caused extensive flooding across the region."
Chhagalnaiya Upazila, which includes five unions and the Chhagalnaiya municipality, has also been heavily affected by the floods. Almost all rural roads are submerged, making transportation impossible and adding to the residents' suffering.
Feni's Deputy Commissioner, Musammat Shahina Akhtar, said, "We are closely monitoring the flood situation and coordinating with local authorities. While some local volunteers are assisting in rescue operations, the scale of the crisis is far beyond their capacity. To ensure the safety of those trapped, we have requested assistance from the Army and Coast Guard. They are already on their way with speedboats to support the ongoing rescue missions."
This devastating flood highlights the vulnerability of low-lying areas in Bangladesh, where heavy rainfall and upstream water flow can quickly escalate into a disaster. As the floodwaters continue to rise, the focus remains on rescuing those stranded, providing them with emergency supplies, and preventing further loss of life and property. The flood has disrupted daily life, halted transportation, and poses a long-term threat to food security and livelihoods in the affected areas.
The situation underscores the need for more robust disaster preparedness measures and better embankment management to mitigate the impact of such recurring natural disasters in Bangladesh. As the nation faces this crisis, the efforts to protect lives and rebuild communities will require both immediate action and long-term planning.
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