Feni, August 21, 2024: The third wave of flooding in Feni has submerged over 200 villages in the upazilas of Fulgazi, Parshuram, and Chhagalnaiya, leaving nearly 200,000 people trapped in water and living in terrible conditions.
One person has gone missing due to the strong currents in the district, and a new breach has occurred in a part of the Silonia River embankment.
Main roads in Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas are now under 2 to 4 feet of water, completely cutting off road connections with the district center. The local weather office recorded 97 millimeters of rainfall in the last 24 hours.
Mohammad Moniruzzaman, a senior observer at the Feni Meteorological Department, reported that 282 millimeters of rainfall have been recorded over the past 48 hours, and rain is expected to continue over the next few days.
Md. Abul Kashem, a sub-divisional engineer at the Feni Water Development Board, stated that continuous rainfall and upstream hill torrents have caused the Muhoor River to flow 85 centimeters above the danger level. Water is rapidly entering the local areas through 27 breaches in the Muhoor, Kohua, and Silonia river flood control embankments.
The flood situation has worsened due to the new breach, in addition to the 26 breaches from the last flood. Multiple agencies, including the Fire Service, are rescuing waterlogged people and moving them to safe shelters.
Afroza Habib, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Parshuram, mentioned that one person has gone missing in the strong currents. As of Tuesday night, around 100 people have been rescued by dinghy boats. The army and coast guard have been requested to assist in the urgent rescue operations.