Feni, Aug 21 (V7N) - According to Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Senior Observer at the Feni Meteorological Department, the district has experienced 186 millimeters of rainfall within the past 24 hours up to 6 a.m.
 
Local sources report that on August 2, breaches were detected in 17 sections of the flood control embankments along the Muhuri, Kahuya, and Silonia rivers. Recent heavy rains and upstream water from India have exacerbated the situation, leading to renewed flooding starting from Monday (August 19) afternoon. This has resulted in significant flooding in areas where breaches have occurred, including near West Alkara Masterbari in Parshuram Upazila, South Kautali Kashinagar, and Champaknagar in Mirzanagar Union, as well as breaches near Zahir Chairman's house in South Shaldhar, and in areas like Tateshwar and Satkuchia along the Kahuya River, and West Mirzanagar along the Silonia River. Roads, homes, agricultural lands, and fish ponds have all been submerged. Approximately 70 villages across two Upazilas are flooded, leaving around 15,000 families stranded.
 
Md. Shaheen from Kalikrishnanagar in Parshuram described, "Our house has been inundated three times in a short span. We can't predict what will happen if the rain continues; only Allah knows. The strong currents are causing severe problems for us."
 
Resident Bahar Uddin commented, "Normally, this area is elevated and does not experience flooding. However, this time, due to heavy rain, our home is submerged. Local representatives seem to have vanished, and we haven't received any help or even a check-up from them."
 
Farmer Ali Azam from Fulgazi shared, "The paddy seedbeds were destroyed in the July floods. After replanting new seedbeds, they were submerged again on August 2. The recent heavy rains have submerged all our fields once more. Recovering from three floods in a month and a half is impossible. We may have to endure hunger."
 
The frequent flooding is attributed to negligence by the Water Development Board, which has resulted in repeated breaches of the flood control embankments. The delay in repairing these embankments has led to new breaches and further flooding in additional areas.
 
Md. Abul Kashem, Acting Sub-Divisional Engineer at Feni Water Development Board, stated, "On August 2, there were breaches in 17 sections of the flood control embankments along the Muhuri, Kahuya, and Silonia rivers. Before these breaches could be repaired, recent heavy rains and upstream water have caused new breaches, leading to further flooding."
 
Afroza Habib Shapla, the Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) of Parshuram, informed Dhaka Post, "Floodwater has entered local areas through 12 breaches in river embankments, inundating 40 villages and affecting about 9,200 families. The river water level is 55 centimeters above the danger mark. We have stockpiled 500 packets of dry food and 50 tons of rice for disaster relief."
 
Tania Bhuiyan, the UNO of Fulgazi, said, "Floodwaters have submerged 30 villages across three unions in the Upazila, leaving 4,000 families stranded. The river embankments are still overflowing, causing water to enter new areas. We have 300 packets of dry food and 18 metric tons of rice in reserve."
 
Additionally, recent heavy rains have caused waterlogging on several roads in the district's Upazilas and towns, disrupting traffic and causing difficulties for residents.
 
Mohammad Moniruzzaman from the Feni Meteorological Department noted, "Feni has experienced moderate to heavy rainfall for two consecutive days. In the past 24 hours, 186 millimeters of rainfall has been recorded, and it is likely that rain will continue across the district for the next few days."
 
END/MKB/SMA/