United News of Bangladesh

As the monsoon set in, the people of Feni were once again devastated by flooding, a recurring tragedy that left behind deep and unhealed scars. As the destruction recurs, one question continues to echo: will a sustainable embankment ever be built? Will the people of Feni ever be spared the horrors of recurring floods? On Saturday, Faruk-e-Azam, Adviser to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, visited the flood-hit areas in Feni. Local residents seized the opportunity to press their demand for durable embankments. In response, the adviser mentioned that a project worth Tk 7,340 crore has been proposed for embankment construction in Feni. Rushing waters from upstream India broke through embankments in the Parshuram and Fulgazi areas, submerging low-lying villages in Chhagalnaiya and Feni Sadar upazilas. As of Friday, embankments in 23 spots have collapsed, flooding 112 villages and affecting around 34,600 people. Thousands in border-adjacent Fulgazi, Parshuram, Chhagalnaiya and parts of Feni Sadar are enduring significant hardship. Roads have gone under water, halting all vehicular movement. Power cuts and lack of mobile network connectivity have further complicated the situation for flood-affected families. Tk 7,340 cr flood control embankment to be built in Feni: Adviser As the floodwaters begin to recede, the extent of the damage is becoming clear. In Parshuram, about 50 homes have collapsed. “Just a year after the last flood, we’re submerged again,” lamented elderly Razia Begum of Uttar Sripur in Fulgazi, as she stood waterlogged in her home. She went on to say, “Everything is ruined. Floods in July and August have become a norm for this region. Sometimes I feel like being born here was a mistake.” Razia is not alone. Each year, residents of northern upazilas like Fulgazi, Parshuram and Chhagalnaiya suffer the same fate. This time, three consecutive days of heavy rainfall combined with upstream water from India have broken 23 embankment points along the Muhuri, Kahua and Silonia rivers. With water engulfing new areas every hour, life in these regions remains paralysed. Ali Azam, a resident of Uttar Sripur in Fulgazi, described the ferocity of the current, saying, “Water is pouring through the breached embankments with strong currents. New areas are flooding by the hour. Just like last year, we are again struggling with power outages and mobile network failures. Regardless of which political party is in power, our fate never seems to change.” Feni flood situation getting better after pause in rainfall