United News of Bangladesh

As floodwaters begin to recede across Feni, thousands of displaced residents are returning to their homes only to be met with devastation and despair.  The battle for survival has entered a new phase, marked by waterlogged dwellings, broken furniture, spoiled food and widespread uncertainty. The immediate threat of floodwaters may have passed, but the scars of the deluge are evident across the district.  Many areas remain without electricity, with recovery efforts struggling to keep pace with the damage. At least 484 people from 130 families continue to seek refuge in nine local shelters, while around 9,076 people have already left temporary accommodations to attempt rebuilding their lives in damaged homes. Fulgazi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Faria Islam said power restoration is still pending in several locations.  “Although water has receded, several homes remain uninhabitable. We are working in coordination with power and health departments,” she said. Since 8 July, the rivers Muhuri, Kahuya and Silonia began swelling following continuous rain and upstream water from Tripura.  The resulting floods swept through Fulgazi, Parshuram, Chhagalnaiya and Feni Sadar upazilas. According to the district administration, over 150,000 residents were marooned by the flooding, and more than 1,000 homes were either partially or completely destroyed.  Roads, bridges, agricultural land and educational institutions were severely affected. In Fulgazi Bazar’s Shripur Road area, river erosion swept away at least 15 shops.  Md Abdul Alim, a local trader, lost his only means of income.  ‘When waters rise, our dreams drown’: Feni cries out for sustainable future “The river took away my shop in a single day. I ran my family with that income. Now I stand here, empty-handed, with no idea how to survive,” he said. Residents who returned to their homes are finding conditions unlivable.  Rozina Akhter from Gojaria village said, “The water has gone, but we can’t enter our home. Mud, stench from spoiled food, and filth have made the place unlivable. The children are falling sick. Even in shelters, we are getting very little support.” The Water Development Board (WDB) reported that embankments were breached at 36 points along the Muhuri, Kahuya, and Silonia rivers—19 in Parshuram and 17 in Fulgazi.  Earlier, the board had recorded 20 breaches within four days. Akhtar Hossain, WDB executive engineer in Feni, said geo-bags are being used to contain breaches, but sustainable solutions are required.  “We have been trying to contain the breaches using geo-bags, but sustainable embankments and long-term river dredging plans are urgently needed,” he said. The Department of Agricultural Extension confirmed that 5,564.61 hectares of cropland were affected.  The Fisheries Department recorded losses of Tk 8.12 crore, while the Department of Livestock reported damages amounting to Tk 64.88 lakh.  Final estimates are expected once all floodwaters have fully receded. Md Harun, a poultry and fish farmer from Komua village, said he is facing the same nightmare again.  “Last year, the flood cost me over Tk 20 lakh. This time, chickens died, and fish enclosures were washed away again. Every year the same story—embankments break, the water comes, and we get promises. These disasters have become routine,” he said. Tk 7,340 cr flood control embankment to be built in Feni: Adviser Calls for temporary aid are gradually being replaced by demands for permanent solutions. Former upazila chairman Aminul Rasul Golap said people in Phulgazi are no longer seeking relief. “They want strong embankments. Without proper river dredging, maintenance, and oversight, annual floods will continue to drown us,” he said. Parshuram UNO Ariful Islam said relief efforts are ongoing, but resources remain limited.  “We are listing affected people and planning rehabilitation in phases,” he added. Feni Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam said, “We have allocated Tk 23.5 lakh for relief distribution. An additional Tk 40 lakh has been sought from the Disaster Management Ministry for dry food, cattle feed, and baby food. The army is assisting with relief efforts. The situation is gradually improving, and support for affected families will continue.” In August last year, Feni experienced one of the worst floods in its history.  The disaster claimed 29 lives and affected more than 10 lakh people.  Feni’s low-lying areas disappear under rising waters leaving no land in sight Total damages were estimated at Tk 2,686.20 crore, impacting homes, roads, schools, transport, and businesses across the district.  

Flood conditions have started to improve in Parshuram upazila of Feni district as rainfall and river water levels subside, locals and authorities said on Friday. However, a state of water logging continues in Fulgazi and Chhagalnaiya as of Friday morning. Floodwater, triggered by breaches in upstream embankments in India, has flowed from Parshuram and Fulgazi into Chhagalnaiya and various low-lying areas of Feni Sadar. According to district Water Development Board officials, 21 breaches in embankments along the Muhuri, Kahua, and Silonia rivers have flooded over 100 villages across Parshuram, Fulgazi, Chhagalnaiya, and parts of Sadar upazila since Monday. The flooding has left thousands waterlogged and many roads submerged and cut off transportation. The absence of electricity and mobile networks has worsened the crisis. While Parshuram sees gradual improvement, new areas in Chhagalnaiya and Feni Sadar are still being inundated by floodwaters. On Friday, floodwater flowed one to two feet above the Feni-Fulgazi and Feni-Chhagalnaiya regional roads. Feni’s low-lying areas disappear under rising waters leaving no land in sight According to the district administration around 7,000 people have taken refuge in 50 designated shelters while over 20,000 affected residents are receiving food and relief support from the administration and local volunteers.  

New areas in Parshuram, Fulgazi and Chhagalnaiya upazilas of Feni district are being submerged as flood control dams at 21 points along the Muhuri, Kuhua and Silonia rivers collapsed due to heavy rainfall and upstream flow from India. The flooding caused damages to homes, roads and croplands, leaving hundreds of thousands of people waterlogged. The floodwaters are rising in Feni Sadar while the flood situation in Chhagalnaiya upazilas, Fulgazi remained largely unchanged in terms of water levels. In Parshuram, the water levels have slightly receded and the scale of damage is becoming clearer. Power supply remained disrupted in several parts of the upazila, aggravating the fears of a repeat of last year’s floods. Rabiul Hasan, a resident of Dakshin Satra in Chhagalnaiya, said, “The water began rushing in overnight and by morning, more areas were submerged. The strong current is sweeping away everything just like last year.” “Even when governments change, our fate does not,” he lamented. Echoing Rabiul, another resident from Fulgazi’s Anandapur area Mohaymin Tajim said, “We’re helpless once again like last year. The current is too strong and water is entering houses rapidly.” Another flood-hit resident Zahirul Islam said, “Transportation is halted due to submerged roads. There's no electricity or mobile network, and we haven’t received any dry food or administrative aid yet. Every year, we suffer due to poor maintenance by the Water Development Board.” Council of Advisers discusses ongoing flood situation in Feni, Noakhali According to the Water Development Board, breaches at 10 points along the Muhuri River, six points along the Kuhua, and five along the Silonia have flooded at least 55 villages. On Wednesday night, new breaches were reported in Anandapur (Fulgazi), and Rejumiya, Betaka and Satra areas of Chhagalnaiya. Officials estimate that more than 50,000 people are currently marooned across four upazilas of the district. Md Mojibur Rahman, acting officer at Feni met office, said the district has experienced continuous moderate to heavy rainfall for four days. In the past 24 hours till 3pm Thursday, 63.1 millimeters of rainfall was recorded and light rain is likely to continue into Friday. The Feni Power Distribution Board and Rural Electrification Board reported that electricity supply remains suspended in many flooded areas and businesses as meters and substations have been submerged. Restoration will depend on safety and water levels. Parshuram Palli Bidyut Deputy General Manager Md Sohel Akhtar said about 60% of the area’s 33,000 power consumers have been cut off. Full restoration will take time due to damage to the power lines. Abul Kashem, sub-divisional engineer at the Water Development Board, said water levels were about two meters below the danger level at 1pm Thursday but flooding continues through the breaches. Repairs will begin once the water recedes. Rivers swell across Bangladesh amid heavy rain; Ctg also faces flood threat Feni Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam said more than 100,000 people are now affected in Parshuram, Fulgazi, Chhagalnaiya and Feni Sadar. The Army has been deployed to assist with rescue and relief, and Tk 17 lakh has been allocated for emergency relief across six upazilas, he said. As of 1pm Thursday, the Bangladesh Army began rescue operations using speedboats. Relief and rescue efforts are being expanded across the affected areas in phases, according to an army source.