Downpour triggers flash flood in Moulvibazar

Heavy rain coupled with onrush of water from hills in the last two days triggered a flash flood in Barlekha upazila of the district, marooning 2,000 families at 25 villages in the upazila.

Abdul Alim, 58, of Kathaltoli village, said "Water from Madhakundo started entering our home from Wednesday evening."

Joynul Miah, 65, of Tetli village said the hapless villagers have taken shelter on the road.

Abul Imam Md Kamran Chowdhury, mayor of Barlekha municipality, said floodwater has entered many areas under the municipality. "We informed the Water Development Board (WDB) about the matter.

Rafiqul Islam, chairman of Barlekha Upazila Parishad, said floodwater entered 25 villages of the upazila, affecting around 2,000 families, but the authorities concerned is not doing anything to help them.

Many points of the Juri River embankment are on the verge of collapse as the river is flowing above the danger level. Thousands of families living on the riverside are living in fear of losing their croplands and homesteads, he added.

In Sunamganj, the overall flood situation in the district remained unchanged yesterday as the Surma and the Jadukata rivers were flowing above the danger mark at several points.

Around one lakh flood-hit people have been leading a miserable life with inadequate relief, locals said. Water Development Board sources said the Surma River at Ghagot point was flowing above the danger level yesterday.

Doarabazar Upazila Chairmen Idris Ali said Lakhipur, Banglabazaar and Narsinghpur unions in the upazila have been badly affected.

Away in Lalmonirhat, the water level of the Teesta River dropped yesterday, but the sufferings of the affected people remain the same, reports our correspondent reported.

The Teesta River was flowing 15 centimetres below the danger level at Teesta Barrage point in Doyani area under Hatibandha upazila yesterday morning, WDB officials said.

Alokjan Begum, 34, a flood-affected woman at Bagdora village under Lalmonirhat Sadar, said the area was flooded suddenly at dawn on Wednesday. They are still in suffering though the flood situation has improved. "Flood water has not receded from our house," she added.

Shah Alam, 45, of the same village, said their house is still under water, so they cannot cook there. "If there is no rain and upstream water does not come down, the flood water will recede very soon," he added.

Ashraful Islam, 48, of Kalmati village, said the flood damaged some link roads at the village, disrupting communication with the mainland.

Mosaddeque Hossain Chowdhury, chairman of Mahishkhocha Union Parishad under Aditmari upazila, said overall flood situation has improved, but many houses in his union are still under water.