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The coastal district of Noakhali has been experiencing continuous rain due to a depression over the Bay of Bengal. The weather system has brought gusts and squalls and the sea in Hatia Upazila has become quite rough.
The local administration in Hatia has temporarily suspected all river connectivity with the rest of the country from 11am on Wednesday due to the adverse weather, bdnews24.com.
Humayun Kabir, an officer at the Noakhali office of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said 67mm of rainfall was recorded in Noakhali in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday.
He said, "The well-marked low over the northwest Bay of Bengal and the adjoining area has intensified into a depression. It is likely to move northward and could intensify further. Due to its influence the north Bay of Bengal, coastal areas, and maritime ports may experience gusty winds and squalls. The sea near the centre of the depression remains rough."
Under the circumstances, all fishing boats and trawlers in the north bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in safe shelters and proceed with caution until further notice. Also, the Met Office issued a local cautionary signal No. 3 for ports, Humayun said.
Meanwhile, rivers in Nijhum Dwip had an increase in the tidal surge by 5-6 feet than usual from Wednesday. Many households were inundated with water. Locals in nine wards of Nijhum Dwip are marooned, causing residents of the locality to suffer.
Tidal water from the Meghna River has been flowing 4-5 feet higher than the usual level, locals said. Hence, the shops on the banks of the river and the jetty area have been removed. Some shops were damaged and others were even washed away due to high tide. As there is no ring embankment around Nijhum Dwip, most of the area is flooded.
Meanwhile, people from Hatia area stranded as the Upazila has lost connectivity to the entire country.
Saiful Islam, a resident of Burirchar Union in Hatia, said: “It has been pouring without pause since Wednesday. It is accompanied gusts and squalls. Many areas are flooded with tidal water. Under the circumstances, Hatia residents are out of work.”
Nijhum Dwip resident Belal Hossain said, “Nijhum Dwip gets flooded easily as there’s no ring embankment here. Several areas, including Namarbazar and Shatophul Bandar, are already flooded with tidal water.”
Another local, Amzad Hossain, said that the public was suffering because of the rain, tidal water and gusty winds. They would suffer more, and vegetables and other crops would be damaged if the water did not recede immediately.
Hatia Upazila Executive Officer Md Alauddin said they had instructed all water transports to halt travel to any destination across the country after 11:30am on Wednesday as the sea had turned rough. The order will remain in place until the weather becomes normal. Also, all fishing trawlers are to remain in safe shelter.
Deputy Commissioner Khandkar Estiaque Ahmed said the Upazila executive officers have been directed to observe the weather situation and take necessary steps accordingly. Safe shelters were also arranged to move people from vulnerable areas, and cyclone shelters have been prepared, he said.
He also said they asked the Water Development Board to monitor the vulnerable ring embankments in the coastal Upazilas of Hatia, Subarnachar and Companiganj.