Due to continuous rains during the current monsoon season, the upstream of the Sangu river is overflowing with water, causing the low-lying areas to flood in Thanchi, Bandarban. Meanwhile, internal rural roads including Boikxyong Jhiri, Kanaikxyong Jhiri, Thaingxyong Jhiri, Padmjhiri and Kauwakxyong Jhiri of the upazila have been submerged in water, disrupting the communication with the upazila headquarters and the movement of common people.

Meanwhile, after the heavy rains last Wednesday night, by Thursday (August 1) noon in Thanchi upazila, various internal neighborhoods or rural roads were submerged in water, causing disruption to the movement of common people. Upstream of the Sangu River, due to the gradual increase in the water level, the water has risen in the lower areas including New Para, Bagan Para, Hindu Para. Mikeing has been done by the upazila administration to stay in safe places and increase awareness among those living in vulnerable areas due to continuous rainfall.

Locals said that due to continuous rainfall, various internal roads in the lower part of the upazila were flooded due to the rising water of the Sangu River and the movement of the common people was being disrupted. If it rains for a few more days, there is a danger of flooding like last year. Due to the increase of water in the hills, water has risen in the neighborhoods in the lower areas. Some of the neighborhoods have been able to connect with the upazila headquarters by road, but many of the residents of the neighborhood have been cut off from communication.

Due to continuous rains for several days, the water in the upper reaches of the Sangu River has submerged the lower areas. Maritime communication with Tindu and Remakri is closed at Sadar. Tindu UP Chairman Bhagyachandra Tripura said that if it continues to rain for a few more days, the movement of the common people will be disrupted.

Going to the surface, it can be seen that due to continuous rains, the rain water in the upper reaches of the Sangu River has flooded the lower areas. The houses and crops of people living in vulnerable areas along the banks of the Sangu River have been flooded. The upazila health complex along with the culvert of the road along with the Mission Pashvarti bridge sank, the local people were cut off from Sadar Bazar including medical services. So far, the road communication with the upazila headquarters is somewhat normal, but the crop lands in the lower areas including New Para, Bagan Para, Hindu Para are waterlogged. Sajal Karmakar, a member of Balipara Union, said that although it has been raining for a long time, due to the heavy rain on the night of July 31, the water level of the Sangu River has risen in Bagan Para and Hindu. The Para bridge has sunk. At the same time, the bridge located at Bagan Para on the Thanchi Bandarban main road was also submerged in water. Although the knee is still watery, it is somehow still able to move.

Bolipara union chairman Jiaong Marma said that water has not entered the house so far. However, water has risen on the roads of Bagan Para, Hindu Para in the lower areas, due to which the movement of common people is facing problems. If the rain continues, there is a risk of flooding.

On the other hand, Thanchi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Mamun said that the upazila administration is ready to deal with any disaster management. Mikeing is being done to move the people living in dangerous places at the foot of the hills or in safe places along the banks of the Sangu river. In the meantime, 15 temporary shelters have been opened to deal with disasters.

Chingthwai Aung Marma,

Thanchi (Bandarban) correspondent: