Rain, onrush of hill water inundate 14 Rangamati villages

RANGAMATI, June 13 (UNB): At least 14 villages in Baghaichhari upazila of the district were submerged due to rains and onrush of hill water for the last three days, rendering 60,000 people marooned.
Onrush of hill water along with torrential rain submerged different villages including Karengatoli, Baghaihat, Bangaltoli, Rupkari, Kadamtoli, Tulaban, Gucchagram, Muslim Block, Imam Para, Master Para, Gunia Para, Sarkar Para, College Para and Old Marishya.
A vast area of crops land went under flood water, forcing people to take shelter in the nearest schools, colleges and madrashas.
Besides, the water level of Kaptai Lake was flowing over the danger level that inundated the low lying areas of the upazila including Longdu, Jurachhari, Barkal, Bilaichhari and Naniarchar areas.
AKM Mamunur Rashid, deputy commissioner of Rangamati, said several villages were flooded as the water of Kachalong River rises following the rain.
Several shelters centres were opened for flood affected people and around 10 tons of rice was distributed among them, he said.
In Habiganj, the town protection embankment has been facing threat of collapse in different points due to the increase of water level in the Khoai river.
Due to onrush of hill water from India's Tripura state, the water level of Khoai River was flowing 170 centimeter above the danger level on Wednesday morning, said Tauhidul Islam, executive engineer of the Water Development Board.
The low-lying areas along the dyke were inundated by the river water, he added.