74 villages submerged, thousands affected

Floodwaters have breached 15 points in the flood control embankments of the Muhuri, Kahua, and Shilonia rivers in Feni's Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas, inundating 74 villages.

As a result, 28,000 families are stranded, with 64 families relocated to safer areas. By Saturday afternoon, river water levels had risen 220 centimetres above the danger mark.

Fulgazi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tania Bhuiya reported that the area was first hit by floods on July 1. On August 2, the embankments of the Muhuri, Kahua, and Shilonia rivers broke once more, worsening the situation for residents. Continuous rainfall and upstream runoff have caused a significant rise in river water levels.

The rising waters of the Muhuri, Shilonia, and Kahua rivers have submerged six unions in Fulgazi upazila, affecting 43 villages and isolating 8,000 families.

According to the Water Development Board, water levels are currently 10 centimetres above the danger mark. The Feni-Bilonia regional highway is also submerged in Fulgazi and Parshuram, severing road communication with the district. New areas continue to be inundated.

Parshuram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Afroja Habib Shapla stated that approximately 20,000 people are stranded due to the floods caused by excessive rainfall and upstream runoff. The WDB reports that the Muhuri River is flowing 150 centimetres above the danger level, with the number of stranded families increasing daily.

In response to the crisis, the Fulgazi Upazila administration has distributed dry food to 300 families and prepared an additional 250 food packages. They have distributed 13 tonnes of rice and stockpiled 5 tonnes. The Parshuram Upazila administration has distributed 550 packages of dry food.

Abu Abdullah from Mirzanganj area reported that he has never seen water enter homes with such force. "We are struggling through the night," he said.

Mohammed Khalil Ullah added, "Normally, this high ground does not flood, but the heavy rainfall has submerged roads, homes, crops, and fish ponds. If the water level rises further, the situation will become dire."

Jasim Uddin, chairman of Chitholia Union Parishad, criticised the Water Development Board (WDB) for negligence, which has led to repeated breaches in the flood control embankments.

He mentioned that repair work on a breached embankment from a month ago was delayed, resulting in new breaches at the same location.

According to Md Abul Kashem, sub-divisional engineer (acting) of WDB in Feni, such high-water levels have never been observed before. Heavy rains over the past two days and upstream water have caused the Muhuri and Kaua rivers to exceed the danger mark by 220 centimetres. They have recorded breaches at 15 locations and warned that ongoing rain could cause additional breaches. However, if rainfall decreases, there may be no new breaches.

The WDB's records show that in July, 115 metres of the protective embankment were damaged, costing Tk 1.5 crore in repairs.  Local residents have expressed concerns that the section repaired with Tk 35 lakh in Parshuram broke first during this flood, allowing water into their areas. They argue that without proper planning and execution, the region will continue to face such hardships.