The flood situation has worsened in Rangamati as water from upstream inundated numerous low-lying regions, leaving nearly 35,000 people marooned.
Many houses in Baghaichari, Juraichari, Belaichari and Barkal upazilas have been flooded, and the administration is working to deal with the situation.
According to the district administration, there are 4,500 people in 242 shelters in the district.
Water has entered Baghaichari upazila parishad as floodwater has increased. Agricultural land crops have been damaged. Flood victims are worried about their cattle.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rumana Akter, who visited Baghaichari flooded areas, said: “Twenty-six shelter homes have been opened in the upazila. Cooked food is being served there.”
Madhyampara residents Mosharraf Hossain and Kaium Hossain said they went to the shelter next to their house as the water level rose. They later went elsewhere as there was a space shortage. They added that left the cows indoors and have not been able to feed them since the previous night.
UNO Rumana Akhter said: “I am not able to go to the office in the morning as water entered the ground floor of the office. People of nine wards and eight unions of the upazila’s municipal area are underwater.”
She added: “People who did not come to the shelter, we have started going to their homes with 10kg of rice, 3kg of potatoes, 1 litre of soybean oil, dry food and candles. So far, I have received 40 tons of rice. The deputy commissioner said that more allocations will be made as required.”
Barkal UNO Najma Binte Amin said: “Fifteen shelter homes have been opened due to the floods. So far, 550 people are in the centre. About 8,400 people have been affected in 35 villages in the upazila. Three meals are being provided to those who have come to the shelter. Distribution of rice and water purification tablets has started through the union parishad for those who did not come.”
Due to incessant rains, the flood situation is on the verge of stopping the power supply in remote upazilas. Mobile networks in the area have also been affected.
On the other hand, Belaichari and Juraichari upazila nirbahi officers could not be contacted as their phones were unreachable.
