Thousands of families are trapped in water due to rain and landslides in the lower areas of Mirsarai Upazila of Chittagong. Apart from this, rural roads in different areas of the upazila have been broken by the torrential downpours and saplings and vegetable gardens have been submerged in water.

Meanwhile, due to lack of renovation of the canal for a long time and due to unplanned construction of structures, water drainage stopped and flooding occurred, said local residents. On Wednesday (July 3), it is known that dry food has been distributed by the upazila administration among 450 water-locked families.

It has been reported that due to six consecutive days of rain, waterlogging has occurred in various villages of Karerhat, Hinguli, Bariyarhat Municipality, Mirsrai Municipality, Zorarganj, Katachra, Durgapur, Mithanala, Mirsrai Sadar, Khaiachra, Osmanpur and Wahedpur Union. Big potholes have been created at different places on Dhaka-Chittagong highway and Baryarhat-Ramgarh road. Due to the potholes in the road, most of the populated Baradarogahat-Bagachatar road, Zorarganj-Muhuri project road are impassable. Thousands of families in Fenapuni, Osmanpur’s Morgang, Chinkiastana and Khilmurali villages are waterlogged. Cooking also stopped due to rising water in the stove.

Many families are water-logged in Fenaphuni village of Khayachra union. Due to waist water, people have to suffer a lot in movement. Abu Taher, a resident of the area, said that the Fenafuni canal has not been renovated for 15 years, causing waterlogging in the slightest rain. If it rains continuously, there is no end to suffering. It is very difficult to move because of waist-deep water. Many people did not cook because the water was boiling in the kitchen stove.

Another resident, Shihab Shibul, said that the water from the mountain passes through the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. But the passage of water is blocked due to encroachment by construction of structures in the rim. This means that every year when it rains, our village is submerged in water. He strongly demanded that the illegal structures built on the canal be removed soon and the canal be renovated. It has been found that hundreds of illegal shops and establishments have been built around the markets around the canal. Due to these, the flow of water in various canals is disturbed. As a result, the low-lying areas are submerged under water every year. Apart from this, the unplanned construction of various industries without leaving a drainage path leads to waterlogging.

Mahfuzul Haque Junu, chairman of Khayachra Union Parishad (UP), said that there has been flooding in Fenaphuni and Saidali villages of his union. He visited the areas on Monday (July 1) afternoon. He also said that mainly the people of Mayani and Moghadiya Unions have occupied the canal and built illegal structures, so the people of his union have become waterlogged. He said that he will discuss this matter with the Upazila Chairman and Upazila Executive Officer (UNO).

Mirsarai Upazila Agriculture Officer Pratap Chandra Roy said that due to heavy rains and landslides some crops and vegetables have been damaged. But if the rain continues then there is a risk of damage.

Nasim Al Mahmud, senior fisheries officer of Mirsarai Upazila, said that the banks of the fisheries projects in the Muhuri project area are low and the water goes out after two days of rain. 6 consecutive days of rain may cause some loss to fishermen. However, no farmer has officially informed him about the loss, he said.

When asked, UNO Mahfuza Zerin said that water has risen in many areas of Mirsarai due to continuous rains for the past 6 days. On Wednesday, dry food was distributed among 250 families in Khaiachhara Union and 200 water-logged families in Ichakhali Union. He said that a letter has been sent to public representatives to inform about the amount of damage.