Flood situation worsens in southern Chattogram, three upazilas in crisis

Five days of incessant rain and heavy hill torrents from the surrounding areas have severely affected southern Chattogram, leaving Satkania, Lohagara and Banshkhali upazilas under a worsening flood situation.

Floodwaters from the Dolu and Sangu rivers have crossed danger levels and submerged vast areas, leaving around five lakh people stranded, according to district administration officials on Friday.

The government has cancelled leave for all officials and employees of the district administration to tackle the crisis.

Satkania suffers worst impact

Satkania has faced the most severe impact of the flooding, with water submerging all villages under 17 unions and one municipality after the Dolu river embankment collapsed.

Upazila administration officials said around three lakh people in Satkania remain trapped by floodwaters. Roads in several unions, including Dhemsa and Bajalia, have gone underwater, while many houses have also submerged.

Several areas have remained without electricity since Wednesday evening, while mobile network disruptions have made it difficult to communicate with affected residents.

The administration has requested 10 speedboats for emergency rescue operations, but local boats are currently helping move people to safer places.

Meanwhile, strong currents have cut off road communication between Chattogram and Bandarban through the Keranihat-Bandarban road.

Lohagara residents face water crisis

The flood situation in neighbouring Lohagara has continued to deteriorate as hill torrents and rising waters from the Sangu and Dolu rivers inundate several areas.

Amirabad, Adhunagar, Padua and Lohagara unions have suffered extensive flooding, with Amirabad facing the worst damage.

Floodwaters have entered homes in several villages, creating severe problems with cooking and sanitation. Fire Service personnel are rescuing pregnant women and elderly residents and taking them to shelters.

Banshkhali farmers suffer losses

Floodwaters have also inundated large areas of coastal Banshkhali, affecting Puichhari, Napora, Chhanua, Saral, Shekherkhil, Bailchhari and Katharia unions.

Around one lakh people remain waterlogged in the upazila. Floodwaters have damaged hundreds of hectares of Aman rice seedbeds and washed away numerous fish farms, causing major financial losses for farmers.

Mamunur Rashid, a resident of Manik Pathan village in Katharia union, told the Daily Sun that floods had damaged most of the village’s mud houses. Many residents have been forced to leave their homes, while affected families have yet to receive assistance and are struggling to arrange food.

Rivers continue to swell

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said water levels in the Sangu river at Dohazari point have crossed the danger mark. Continued hill torrents have increased pressure on downstream areas, while rising water from the Hangar canal and Dolu river has flooded new areas.

The government has opened emergency shelters in affected upazilas to deal with the situation. Satkania has opened 89 shelters, while additional centres in Chandanaish and Lohagara are accommodating thousands of displaced people.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has allocated 200 metric tonnes of rice and cash assistance. However, local representatives and flood victims said a shortage of boats has prevented relief supplies, including dry food and safe drinking water, from reaching remote areas.

Flooding has also affected Chakaria and the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila in Cox’s Bazar, where all low-lying areas under 18 unions and one municipality have gone underwater, leaving more than two lakh people stranded.

The weather office said rainfall intensity decreased slightly over the past 24 hours, but the sky remained cloudy. The government said the flood situation in southern Chattogram may not improve until hill torrents subside completely.