Despite receding water, suffering continues in three upazilas of Chattogram; lakhs of people face power and food crisis

According to the District Relief and Rehabilitation Office, as of last Friday, a total of 7,54,590 people from 1,88,648 families in 176 unions of Chattogram have been affected by the flood. Since last Sunday, continuous rain and hill torrents have inundated vast areas of Satkania, Lohagara, Chandanaish, and Banshkhali.

Satkania upazila is the worst affected. About 90 percent of the area here is still under water, and over four lakh people are marooned. Most internal roads are submerged, effectively paralyzing the communication system. Water still remains in the upazila health complex, upazila parishad, police station, court, and municipality office. Due to the suspension of electricity supply, vast areas are in darkness. Additionally, residents are facing extreme hardship due to a shortage of clean water and the inability to cook as water remains inside homes.

In various areas of western Banshkhali, including Chhanua, Puichhari, Shekerkhil, Saral, and Kahargon, the water has not fully receded. Many houses have been damaged by hill torrents and sea tides. Electricity connections are still cut off in many areas. The upazila administration has distributed about four thousand packets of dry food and one and a half thousand packets of cooked food. Various social and political organizations are also providing relief assistance. However, the affected people complain that this aid is insufficient compared to the need.

In Chandanaish, floodwaters have not fully receded in the low-lying areas of two municipalities and eight unions. About 50,000 people are marooned. The flood has damaged approximately 2,200 hectares of Aus paddy, 900 hectares of vegetables, and 70 hectares of papaya fields. Additionally, over five hundred ponds and fish projects have been submerged, causing losses of at least Tk 10 crore. Communication systems have not yet returned to normal due to damage to various roads.

Residents of the affected areas said that although the water has receded somewhat, the ground situation has not changed much. Without electricity, spending the night has become difficult. The suffering has increased further due to the shortage of clean water and problems in collecting food.

Md. Nurul Islam, a resident of Charati Union in Satkania, said, "Water has been inside the house for four days. I can't cook. The dry food is also finished. Without electricity, it is very difficult to stay with the children."

Belal Uddin, a resident of Chhanua Union in Banshkhali, said, "There is still water in the house. There is no way to light the stove. We are living a miserable life with our small children. We are not getting clean water either, and we haven't received any government assistance yet."

Abdul Kader, a resident of Chandanaish, said that many families are facing financial crisis due to extensive damage to crops and fish enclosures.

Chattogram District Commissioner Jahidul Islam Mia said the district administration is working to quickly deliver relief, dry food, clean water, and necessary assistance to the affected people. In areas where road communication is cut off, relief is being delivered through alternative means.

Satkania Upazila Executive Officer Milton Biswas said that although the water has receded somewhat, many people are still marooned. Regular relief distribution is ongoing in shelters and affected areas, and the administration's activities will continue until the situation returns to normal.