Ehsanul Haque Jasim :The flash flood severely hits Feni, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, parts of Sylhet, Sunamganj and Sherpur districts due to torrential rain with onrush of hilly water for several days. The floodwater also swept Netrakona, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and some other parts of the country.Vast areas of Feni to Fulgazi-Parshuram went under floodwater due to damage in the flood control dyke of Muhuri, Kohua and Silonia rivers in several parts. River erosion took a serious turn in Sherpur due to collapse of the flood control dyke in several parts, sources of Water Development Board (WDB) said. The farmers of the flood-hit districts apprehend massive loss of newly planted Aman paddy if the flash flood continues for several days.However, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) forecasts that the flash flood may continue in several districts during next 24 to 48 hours, and some fresh districts. According to the FFWC and the WDB, the water level in most of the major rivers is in the rising trend.Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, Duty Officer of the FFWC, on Friday told The New Nation that the flood situation in Feni and the other districts have worsened due to the heavy rainfall and onrush of hilly water. The flood may hit Sirajganj, Jamalpur and some other parts of the country, and may further deteriorate in the North Bengal, as the water level in the Jamuna and the Teesta rivers is in rising trend. He, however, apprehend of river erosion in several parts, as the water level will rise sharply. He also apprehended collapse of flood control dykes in several parts. In Feni, at least 50 villages of Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas have been inundated in heavy rain and onrush of hilly water from Indian State of Tripura in the past few days. The onrush of hilly water collapsed the flood control dyke in at least 13 parts in the affected areas, marooning many people. The flood control dyke of Muhuri River was damaged at Kismot Ghonia Mora village under Fulgazi upazila affecting at least 30 villages, including Joypur, Sahapara, Boiragpur and Daksin Doulatpur of the upazila. The Feni-Fulgazi- Parshuram Road at Fulgazi Bazar went under waist-deep to knee-deep water in the flood. Fishes of about 500 ponds were washed away in the floodwater, while at least 20 houses were also damaged in the flood. Many people took shelter into safer places. The WDB officials said, the Muhuri, Kohua and Silonia rivers were flowing 20 cm above the danger level at several points in Feni. Engineer Mofizur Rahman of Feni WDB office said that flood situation was improving. In Bandarban, road communication with the district town from several parts of the district has been disrupted, as some roads had been waterlogged while most were submerged. Some houses were damaged in the landslides in New Gulshan, Langi Para and Banarupa Para areas of Sadar uapzila amid incessant rain. Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers were flowing above the danger level due to onrush of water from the hills.The authorities have opened shelter centres for the flood-hit people. Bandarban DC Mizanul Haque Chowdhury said that the people living at the foot of hills have been asked to evacuate the risky areas. In Khagrachhari, Muslimpara, Ganjapara, Shantinagar, Shanginala areas of the district town, Chhoto Marung, Bara Marung, Kabakhali area of Dighinala upazila and many other areas of Mahalchhari upazila of the district have been flooded. Thousands of affected families have taken shelter at safe places including nearby schools and shelter homes.In Sylhet, at least 2,000 families in 30 villages have been marooned in the flash flood. A big portion of Jaintapur, Nijpath, Fotepur, Dorbost, Chiknapur under Jaintapur upazila and Pashchim Jaflong, Purbo Jaflong, Rustompur, Dhobari, Lengura, Toakul Nandirgaon unions in Goainghat upazila went under water. Some areas of Sylhet Sadar and Kanaighat upazilas have been affected also. Thousands of families living along riverside areas are passing time amid fear of losing their croplands and houses. DC of Sylhet Md Joynal Abedin said that they informed the higher authorities of the matter.In Sunamganj, several thousands of people have been marooned, as many villages at Sadar upazila went under floodwater. According to the WDB, the water level in the Surma River was flowing 53 cm above the danger level. However, Khasiamara, Chela, Morachela, Cholti and Kaliuri rivers were also flowing above the danger level. The locals alleged that the flash flood affected the upazila seriously, as the collapsed embankment at Surma Union, which took place last year, was not repaired till now.
