Flood situation worsens in Noakhali, more than 1.5 lakh people in shelters

 The overall flood situation in Noakhali has worsened due to the fresh spell of rain. Though the water level receded in some areas, the rain receded in the evening. There has been light to moderate rain in most parts of the district. At the same time, floodwater enters the neighbouring Feni district and inundates new areas.

According to the office of the District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, more than 20 lakh people in the district have been marooned in the recent floods. Besides, 1.62 lakh people have taken shelter in temporary shelters at different educational institutions in eight upazilas of the district. Besides, one person died of electrocution in Begumganj upazila of the district yesterday. There are four in the district.


District Meteorological Department Rafiqul Islam told Prothom Alo this morning that 34mm of rain was recorded in the district town of Maijdi from 9am yesterday to 9am today. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain in the next 24 hours, "he added. Many district areas, including Maijdi, Chatkhil and Senbagh, are still underwater.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kazi Ehsan Uddin described the flood situation in Chatkhil upazila as critical. Talking to Prothom Alo, he said the flood situation has worsened due to rain and overflowing water last night. More than 20 lakh people have taken shelter in relief camps. At present, the situation is rapidly deteriorating. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the relief assistance, he added.


Along with Chatkhil, the flood situation in Senbagh of the district also remained unchanged. Many areas in Senbagh municipality are still knee-deep in water. Khorshed Alam, a former municipal councillor of Senbagh, said he had been forced to leave his home by the floodwaters. There was a commotion in the house. Because of this, he moved into a two-story house with his family. The flood situation in Senbagh is deteriorating daily due to continuous rain and an onrush of floodwater from Feni.

Many areas in Noakhali district are still under water. This morning, the road in front of the Maizdi Deputy Commissioner's office and the Superintendent of Police's office was almost knee-deep in water. Bibi Khodeja, a resident of the Laxminarayanpur area of the city, told Prothom Alo that there is still lukewarm water in the courtyard of the house. Walking inside the house. The kitchen was long gone. Food is bought from outside and served by neighbours. The situation was worse at night.

Manu Das Gupta, a resident of the Rashid Colony area of the district town and an official of a private development agency, said the flood situation was grim. At first light, he said, there was no light in the house. He was forced to leave all his belongings inside the house. He walked into his old office. Many houses have been submerged in the flood.

Talking to the local residents, it was learned that many families in the remote areas of Senbagh, Begumganj, Chatkhil and Sadar upazilas have not yet received government and private assistance. Relief is not being distributed in these areas due to stagnant water.

District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Zahid Hasan Khan told Prothom Alo that they are trying to get a list of the areas where no government or private relief has reached. As soon as the list is received, relief measures will be taken in all areas.