At least 40 villages in Ukhia upazila of Cox’s Bazar district have been inundated due to onrush of hilly water and heavy rains for the last few days, leaving around 25,000 people stranded.
Local sources said many houses, rural roads, culverts and betel leaf gardens have also been damaged by the flood in the affected areas. Besides, many cattle have died in the low-lying areas.
While visiting different flood-hit areas, this correspondent found that at least 40 villages, including Lambari Para, Ghatghar Para, Painashia, Sonaichhari, Sonarpara and Deipara Monkhali under Jalia Palong Union, Chowdhury Para, Rumkha Palong, Barabeel, Patabari, Nalbunia, Khewa Chari, Bau Bazar, Kulal Para, Monir Market and Paglir Beel under Haldia Palong Union, Kutupalong, Machhkaria, Lambashia Tuturbil, Hijlia and Pinjir Kul under Raja Palang Union, Sadri Kata, Pashchim Ratna, Baruapara, Khondkar Para and Gyal Mara under Ratna Palang Union and Thaingkhali, Rahmater Beel, Balukhali Toyel Khola and Anjuman Para Faribeel under Palangkhali Union have been flooded. Many cattle are dying as the low-lying areas have gone under water. People are suffering a lot in the affected areas.
Chairman of Jalia Palong Union SM Syed Alam said several hundred families are trapped in water at Deil Para, Nambari Para and Ghatghar Para.
Alhaj Mohammad Noor Mohammad Shikder, Ukhia unit President of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), said traffic movement has been closed on the roads due to heavy rains and landslides for the four consecutive days. In addition, numerous houses, trees and betel leaf gardens were destroyed and extensive damage was done.
Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, chairman of Haldia Palong Union Parishad, said that different areas, including Rumkha Chowdhury Para, Bou Bazar, Paglir Beel and Barabeel, have been flooded. Vegetable fields along with Aman seedbeds were washed away.
Local fishermen said fish worth about lakhs of taka has been washed away due to flooding in the fish enclosures and ponds.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tanveer Hossain visited many flooded areas. The UNO in an urgent message on Facebook urged the people living in dangerous areas at the foot of the hills to take shelter in a safe place or nearby cyclone centres.
At least 20 unpaved roads and culverts in rural areas have been damaged, said the upazila project implementation officer.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Nizam Uddin said that numerous seedbeds and betel leaf gardens were destroyed due to the strong water flow.
Haldia Palong Union Parishad Chairman Imrul Kayes Chowdhury on his verified Facebook page said that 10,000 people in 20 villages have been marooned. The flood-affected people are starving for two days. He sought the cooperation of the upazila administration.
People in the affected areas of Jaliya Palong and Palong Khali Unions alleged that they did not get any support from local public representatives or the administration.
