Flood wreaks havoc on crops, fish in Cox's Bazar

COX'S BAZAR, Aug 06: The overall flood situation in the district has improved somewhat as the water levels of local rivers have started to decline.

Sources said the water levels of Bakkhali and Matamuhuri rivers and Rejukhal have started to come down.

As the floodwater has started to recede from the coastal and low-lying areas, relief has returned to the distressed people.

However, the sufferings of the people in the flood-affected areas did not end. Crops, fields, gardens, farms and fish enclosures have been destroyed by the floods.

Apart from this, there has been extensive damage to houses and structures due to water ingress.

Last Wednesday and Thursday, continuous heavy rain and landslides from upstream caused severe flooding in Cox's Bazar.

The incessant rain flooded the coastal and low-lying areas of 15 unions of seven upazilas of the district. At least 250 villages of Ukhia, Chakria, Cox's Bazar Sadar and Ramu areas were submerged by the floodwater.

At least 0.3 million (03 lakh) people of these areas suffered greatly from the flooding. Cox's Bazar-Teknaf highway was submerged, leaving road communication cut off.

Apart from this, communications have been restored on several regional roads of the district, including Chakaria Manikpur road and Ramu Naikshyongchari road as the floodwater receded.

However, residents are said to be suffering as floodwater remains in some coastal areas. Along with that, there is a shortage of clean water and food.

As the floodwater was receding, there are signs of flood damage. Some roads and highways, some culverts and unpaved roads are damaged.

Scenes of seedbeds, crop fields, fish enclosures, embankments, residential houses and commercial establishments are in the affected areas of Chakaria and Pekua.

There is a shortage of clean drinking water. The people of flood affected areas are facing various problems. Their losses have been extensive.

Local residents said that the floodwater cannot go to the sea due to the closure of sluice gates at various points of the embankment. Because of this, many villages of Badarkhali, Konakhali, Dhemushia, Paschim Baro Veola, Purba baro Veola Union of Chakaria Upazila are flooded.

Abul Kalam, a resident of Chakaria, said, "Flood has caused a loss of around Tk 10 lakh for my fish project. All the fish have been washed away by floodwater."

Abdul Haque, a farmer of Ukhia Haldiapalong, said that due to the flood my crop fields have suffered a lot. At least worth Tk 0.2 million (02 lakh) of my crops has been destroyed.

Jhelongja UP Chairman Tipu Sultan of Cox's Bazar Sadar said that the floodwater is receding due to lack of rain for two days. The rain has caused extensive damage to crops in my union. Now as the water is receding, the scars are visible. There is a shortage of fresh water in flood affected areas.

Ukhia Upazila Vice-Chairman Russell Chowdhury said that the water level of Rejukhal was going down due to lack of rain on Friday and Saturday. Along with that, the flooded areas are also drying up. Now the scars were showing.

Ukhia Upazila is the most affected in the district due to this flood. Crops, fish enclosures and farm fields were extensively damaged by the floodwater.

The residents of the affected areas are suffering a lot. They need adequate support.

Cox's Bazar District Administrator Muhammad Shaheen Imran said that 47 tonnes of rice and cash of Tk 0.5 million (5 lakh) have been distributed to the flood victims of seven upazilas of Cox's Bazar.

"If necessary, more financial aid and relief will be given."

The extent of the damage by the flood has not been determined yet.

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