In Feni’s low-lying Fulgazi upazila, relentless floodwaters have submerged all 85 villages, turning the entire area into a vast expanse of water.

The swollen Muhuri, Silonia and Kahua rivers have breached eight embankments at locations such as Derpara, Uttar Sripur and Daulatpur, unleashing fierce currents that swept away roofs, fences and lives.

Among the ruins, some of the poorest villagers have fled with their cattle, poultry and children to shelter in whatever high places they could find. Families cram together in tiny rooms on the upper floors of school buildings and marketplaces -- survivors of a disaster they never caused.

In a poignant reflection of the unfolding crisis, 75-year-old Abul Kashem from Uttar Sripur, middle-aged Motaleb, and 32-year-old Kawser Sultana each represent a generation grappling with despair.

More than a hundred families have taken refuge on higher ground at the premises of Azmeri Begum Girls’ High School located at Notun Munshirhat.

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Countless others, mostly the landless and marginalised, have crowded into emergency shelters across the sub-district, including Fulgazi Pilot High School, the girls’ high school, and local madrasas.

For Kawser Sultana, the floodwaters took everything, except her young son. “The flood of ’24 has taken our home and all that we had to live on,” she said, her voice heavy with resignation.

Meanwhile, Motaleb, holding back tears with a trembling voice and a fist clenching the folds of his lungi, recounted his midnight escape. “I left at 12. I’ve no medicine for my wife, no food. My children cry all night. We’re under a roof—but is that a home?”

Similar anguish is voiced by Lipi Begum (not her real name), now sheltering with her two children on the second floor of Munshirhat Ali Azam High School. “I’ve lived with floods all my life. I was here last time, and now again. But how long can we stay?

“Our house is under water. Here, there’s no food, no proper place to sleep. What if this school floods too? Where do we go then?” she asks, frustration and fear evident in every word.

Others at the shelters echo the same concerns, lack of women’s privacy, inadequate sanitation, no healthcare or child facilities and insufficient relief supplies.

“Rations arrive, but not for everyone,” one man said.

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Despite promises from authorities to rebuild and fortify embankments, locals said visible progress is rare. “We need a sustainable dam. Otherwise, this cycle of destruction will continue forever,” one resident lamented.

According to Moazzem Hossain, acting official at the Munshirhat Union Parishad, food and water have been arranged for those at Ajmeri Begum Girls’ School. Fulgazi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Fahriya Islam has visited shelters, while local BNP leaders have also distributed relief materials.

Meanwhile, the district administration has activated 99 flood shelters across Fulgazi, including 32 secondary and 67 primary schools.

Already, 6,950 people from 1,650 families have taken refuge in 50 of these centres. Tk 6 lakh has been allocated for dry food distribution.

But for thousands like Lipi, Motaleb, and Kashem Mia, the greatest challenge may lies ahead--rebuilding their lives from the water’s edge.