3,000 families marooned as flooding batters 30 villages

Continuous rainfall has caused flooding in at least 30 villages under Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar district leaving more than 3,000 families stranded.

Although it has been raining for a few days, rainfall has increased since Monday (July 7) morning. As a result, low-lying areas have gone under water and several thousand homesteads have been submerged. Residents of the affected areas have undergone extreme sufferings. A visit to the site shows that people's homes in every union of the upazila have been submerged. Many families have not been able to light a fire in their stoves since Monday morning.

Most of the houses in College Para, Shilbonia Para, Dale Para, Jaliapara, Oliabad, Khankar Dale, Chowdhury Para, and KK Para adjacent to Teknaf Municipality have been inundated.

In addition, the entire premises of several educational institutions including Teknaf Government College and Ideal High School have been submerged.

Water has entered the houses of Rangikhali, Wabrang, Moulvibazar, Phuler Dale, and Kharang Khali, Lomba Beel, Kanjor Para, Mina Bazar, and Wabrang in Hnila Union.

Local public representative Bashir Ahmed said that due to heavy rain, water has entered many houses and made them unfit for living. Normal movement of people is being disrupted. Water logging has occurred in these areas mainly due to illegal encroachment on canals by some unscrupulous influential people and for want of cleaning of drains. If such situation continues for a long time, sufferings of the people will increase further.

Anisur Rahman, assistant principal of Sabrang High School, said, "This kind of continuous rain has been seen in a very short time. Water is pouring everywhere. Most of the houses have been flooded. Eating, drinking, sleeping are difficult, and it is extremely difficult to perform normal activities. Public life has become abnormal in such adverse conditions.

Water has entered most of the homes in Kurabuizza Para, Fatehlia Para, Munder Dale, a part of Chandali Para, Hadur Chhara, and Khurer Muqeed of Sabrang Union. In addition, more than 150 families in Shahparir Dwip Majher Para, Hajir Para, and Dakshin Para of that union have been stranded in water.

More than 100 families in Majher Dale of Uttar Para, east side of Dangar Para, and west side of Konar Para are in extreme trouble.

In addition, more than 100 families in Camp Para and Bazar Para are suffering due to waterlogging.

Local resident Syed Alam said every year in East Rangikhali area, about 300 families live in subhuman condition due to waterlogging for a long time during the monsoon.

Due to rainfall and waterlogging every year, livelihoods, education, healthcare and normal movement of people in this area are severely disrupted.

These problems cannot be solved with short-term relief or assistance alone. Rather, a long-term and sustainable development plan is needed for this area, which may include filling low-lying areas, improving drainage systems, building roads and constructing educational institutions on high platforms, and development of necessary infrastructure.

Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said that many families in different unions of the upazila have become waterlogged due to the impact of continuous rains. Dry food has already been distributed to the waterlogged families through local public representatives. In addition, loudspeaker announcement is being done to take those living in risky areas to safer shelters.

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