74 villages submerged

FENI, Aug 03 (UNB): Floodwaters have breached 15 points in the flood control embankments of the Muhuri, Kahua, and Shilonia rivers in Feni's Fulgazi and Parshuram upazila, inundating 74 villages.
As a result, 28,000 families are stranded, with 64 families relocated to safer areas. By Saturday afternoon, river water levels had risen 220 centimetres above the danger mark.
Tania Bhuiya, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Fulgazi, reported the area was first hit by floods on July 01. On August 02, the embankments of the Muhuri, Kahua, and Shilonia rivers broke once more, worsening the situation for residents.
Continuous rainfall and upstream runoff have caused a significant rise in river water levels.
The rising waters of the Muhuri, Shilonia, and Kahua rivers have submerged six unions in Fulgazi Upazila, affecting 43 villages and isolating 8,000 families.
According to the Water Development Board (WDB), water levels are currently 10 centimetres above the danger mark. The Feni-Bilonia regional highway is also submerged in Fulgazi and Parshuram, severing road communication with the district.
New areas continue to be inundated.
Afroja Habib Shapla, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Parshuram, stated approximately 20,000 people are stranded due to the floods caused by excessive rainfall and upstream runoff.
The WDB reports the Muhuri River is flowing 150 centimetres above the danger level, with the number of stranded families increasing daily.
In response to the crisis, the Fulgazi Upazila administration has distributed dry food to 300 families and prepared an additional 250 food packages.
They have distributed 13 tonnes of rice and stockpiled 5 tonnes. The Parshuram Upazila administration has distributed 550 packages of dry food.
On Saturday, local Member of Parliament Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim, Deputy Commissioner Shahina Akhter, UNO Tania Bhuiya, and other representatives visited the affected areas.
Abu Abdullah from Mirzanganj area reported he has never seen water enter homes with such force. "We are struggling through the night," he said.
Mohammed Khalil Ullah added, "Normally, this high ground does not flood, but the heavy rainfall has submerged roads, homes, crops, and fish ponds. If the water level rises further, the situation will become dire."
Jasim Uddin, Chairman of Chitholia Union Parishad, criticised the WDB for negligence, which has led to repeated breaches in the flood control embankments.
He mentioned repair work on a breached embankment from a month ago was delayed, resulting in new breaches at the same location.
According to Md. Abul Kashem, Sub-Divisional Engineer (Acting) at the Feni Water Development Board, such high water levels have never been observed before.