Low-lying areas in Naikhongchhari and Lama upazilas of Bandarban district have gone under floodwater due to incessant rain for the last three days, leaving over 350 families marooned.
Local sources said at least 250 families have been affected in Pashchimkul, Camp Para, Ghonar Para, Hindu Para and Bazar Para of Ward No. 1 under Ghumdhum Union in Naikhongchhari upazila, and Konar Para and Madhya Para of Ward No. 2 under the same union. Houses of at least 150 families have entirely gone under floodwater in those areas. Apart from this, traffic is being disrupted due to torrential water flowing over the roads and landslides along with trees falling on the roads.
On the other hand, the water of Matamuhuri river in Lama was flowing above the danger level. In addition to the flooding of the lower part of the upazila, the partial areas of ward nos. 1, 2 and 3 of the municipality have been flooded and around 100 families have taken shelter in three shelter centres.
Ghumdhum Union Chairman Jahangir Aziz said five low-lying villages of the union were inundated, affecting around 250 families. The roads were also submerged. Some families have taken shelter in shelter centres and they are being supported with food items, he said.
Lama Upazila Chairman Mustafa Jamal said in addition to flooding the low-lying areas of the upazila due to continuous rains, about 100 families of ward nos. 1, 2 and 3 under the municipal area have taken shelter in three shelter centres.
Naikhongchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Zakaria said 70-80 families were marooned in the low-lying areas of ward nos. 1 and 2 near the border area of Naikhongchhari-Ghumdhum. However, if it does not rain on Thursday, the water may subside, the UNO said.
Arup Chakraborty, executive engineer of Bandarban Water Development Board, said due to heavy rains, the water of Matamuhuri river was flowing 43.6 centimetres (cm) above the danger level at 9:00am on Thursday. Besides, the water of Sangu River is still below the danger level (9.6 cm), he said.
Sanatan Kumar Mondal, officer-in-charge of Bandarban Meteorological Department, said amid the continued formation of circulating clouds in the Bay of Bengal due to the influence of the monsoon, it has been raining in various districts of the country.
It may continue for a few more days. In addition, 104 mm of rain was recorded in the district in the last 24 hours, he said.
