Floodwater triggered by recent heavy rain continues to disrupt life in Lakshmipur and Monoharganj with waterlogging persisting for over one and a half month.
Despite some areas seeing receding water levels, many residents remain submerged in floodwaters due to slow drainage, natural barriers, and man-made obstructions. Tens of thousands of people in both districts are suffering severe difficulties as they face prolonged flooding with no clear end in sight.
In Lakshmipur, nearly 100,000 residents from Sadar, Kamalnagar, and Ramgati upazilas are still grappling with waterlogging. Areas such as Bhangakhan and Dattapara unions in Sadar Upazila are among the worst hit. Despite some relief in specific regions, persistent rains have led to renewed flooding, exacerbating the already dire situation.
Sohrab Hossain, a resident of Bhangakhan Union, sharing his ordeal, said that water continues to rise due to the lack of proper drainage in the canal system, leaving him in dire straits for over a month.
Water continues to stagnate in areas like Mirikpur village, where residents informed that homes remain underwater. Gangashibpur village, in Dattapara Union, also faces significant flooding, affecting more than 5,000 people. In neighboring Kamalnagar and Ramgatti upazilas, the Bhulua River has overflowed, further inundating Charkadira and Charporagachha unions.
Lakshmipur Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Sarkar emphasized that many canals are obstructed due to man-made barriers, preventing water from flowing freely. On Thursday, local authorities began cleaning Rahmatkhali Canal to restore the water flow, but residents fear this may be a slow solution.
In Cumilla’s Monoharganj, approximately 50,000 people across 11 unions remain stranded by floodwaters, with the situation showing little improvement 40 days after the flood began. Most village roads in Monoharganj are still submerged, disrupting daily life and leaving homes and fields underwater. Residents report knee-deep floodwaters persisting in many areas.
Local officials in Monoharganj, including Upazila Executive Officer Ujala Rani Chakma, said that the region’s low-lying geography has delayed the recession of floodwaters. Illegal encroachments on canals and natural waterways have further exacerbated the problem.
Despite some signs of improvement, the floodwaters have been slow to recede in both Lakshmipur and Monoharganj. Authorities are working on drainage solutions and continuing support for flood victims, but residents fear that the waterlogging could persist for some time, as infrastructure issues and ongoing rains hinder recovery efforts.
