Feni, Brahmanbaria submerged: Millions stranded

Relentless rains and surging waters from India have unleashed severe floods in bordering districts of Brahmanbaria and Feni, submerging vast areas and leaving millions trapped in rising waters.

Situation is now dire in Feni’s Phulgazi and Parashuram upazilas now. Triggered by incessant rains and water flow from India, the situation has worsened as the Muhuri River continues to flow 55 cm above the danger level. The flooding has submerged internal roads, cutting off traffic and leaving the local population in extreme distress.

Local authorities have been working tirelessly to rescue those trapped. Since midnight on Tuesday, two canoe boats, supported by fire service personnel and volunteer students, have been rescuing people and moving them to safer locations. So far, about 100 people have been rescued, but the situation remains critical. The administration has sought assistance from the Army and Coast Guard for urgent rescue operations.

The flooding has been exacerbated by breaches in 17 sections of the flood control dams of the Muhuri, Kahua, and Silonia rivers, caused by heavy rains and water flowing in from upstream. These breaches, which first occurred on August 2, have allowed water to inundate the area once again, submerging roads, homes, crops, and fish farms. Approximately 25,000 families across the two upazilas are now stranded.

Farmers are facing massive losses as floodwaters destroy their Aman paddy seedbeds for the third time in a month. If the waters do not recede within the next two days, they fear they will be unable to salvage this year's crop.

Rahim, a resident of Birchandra Nagar in Parashuram, described the dire situation: "Our homes have been flooded three times in just a few days. Everyone in the area is suffering, with houses completely submerged." Similarly, Akbar Hossain, a farmer from Nilakshmi in Phulgazi, lamented that his paddy fields had been flooded again just days after replanting.

In the past 24 hours, Feni has recorded 186 millimeters of rainfall, further worsening the flood situation. Feni Water Development Board’s Subdivisional Engineer, Dr. Abul Kashem, noted that the breaches in the flood control dams from the previous flood had not yet been repaired before the latest heavy rains and upstream water caused further erosion.

Parashuram Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Afroza Habib Shapla, confirmed that the worst flood in recent memory had inundated most of the villages in Parashuram Municipality and three unions of Parashuram Upazila. So far, one person has been reported missing, and 500 packets of dry food have been distributed, with more resources on standby.

Akhaura land port under water

Meanwhile, the situation is similarly dire in Brahmanbaria’s Akhaura, where floodwaters from India have submerged the land port and surrounding villages. 

Heavy rains began on Tuesday night, and by morning, water had begun pouring in from across the border, affecting at least 10 villages and causing the collapse of a temporary bridge on the Akhaura-Agartala road, halting traffic. 

The knee-deep water inside the immigration area has added to passenger woes.

Local officials, including Akhaura’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ghazala Parveen Ruhi, have visited the affected areas. The Roads and Highways Department has been informed to repair the collapsed bridge, but immediate traffic resumption seems unlikely.

The flood situation continues to be monitored closely by local administrations, with ongoing efforts to provide relief and ensure the safety of the affected populations.