Depression in Bay: Rains flood low-lying areas of Patuakhali

The low-lying areas of ​​Patuakhali have been submerged as water entered by breaking embankments at different places due to heavy rain and tidal surges.

Depression formed in the Bay of Bengal caused the heavy rain.

Over 50 villages that have been flooded include Chailabunia, Charmontaj, Kawkhali of Rangabali upazila, Charborhan, Bashbaria of Dashmina upazila and Lalua and Champapur of Kalapara upazila, Arif Hossain, executive engineer of Patuakhali Water Development Board, told The Daily Star yesterday

Fish farms and crop fields in the areas are also under threat of being inundated, he added.

Meanwhile, local Met office has asked all the sea ports, including Payra, to keep hoisted the local cautionary signal No 3. And fishing trawlers have been asked to take shelter and remain there until further notice.

Around 100 trawlers returned from the sea and are moored at Mahipur and Alipur fish landing stations in Kalapara upazila, said Ansar Uddin Mollah, president of Kalapara Fishing Trawlers Owners' Association. 

According to the Met office, 76.40mm rainfall has been recorded in the district in the last 24 hours till noon yesterday.

Arif said flood control embankments at several points were washed away due to the mighty tidal surges. "We are inspecting the affected areas of the dams."

The district administration has asked those who have taken shelter on dams to go to cyclone centres.

Using loudspeakers, Coast Guard members are asking fishing trawlers and boats not to go to the sea for fishing.