Hills flooded by torrential rains and heavy rainfall. Chakaria-Matamuhuri in Cox’s Bazar, lakhs of people trapped in water

The vast low-lying areas of Chakaria and the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila in Cox's Bazar have been flooded due to three days of continuous heavy rains and torrential rains from the upstream. As the water of the Matamuhuri river flows above the danger level, lakhs of people in the two upazilas have been trapped in water. Low-lying areas of Baraitoli, Bomu Bilchhari, Kakara, Lakshyachar, Phasiakhali, Chiringa, Baraitoli, Harbang in Chakaria upazila and Purba Baraveola, Dhemushiya, Konakhali, BMchar, Saharbil unions in the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila have been submerged under water.  In addition, important roads, many crop lands, and shrimp farms...

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The vast low-lying areas of Chakaria and the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila in Cox’s Bazar have been flooded due to three days of continuous heavy rains and torrential rains from the upstream. As the water of the Matamuhuri river flows above the danger level, lakhs of people in the two upazilas have been trapped in water.

Low-lying areas of Baraitoli, Bomu Bilchhari, Kakara, Lakshyachar, Phasiakhali, Chiringa, Baraitoli, Harbang in Chakaria upazila and Purba Baraveola, Dhemushiya, Konakhali, BMchar, Saharbil unions in the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila have been submerged under water.  In addition, important roads, many crop lands, and shrimp farms have been submerged under water, bringing public life to a standstill.

The administration is miking families living at risk in the foothills of the hilly areas of the two upazilas to move to safe shelters due to the fear of landslides due to continuous heavy rains.

A prominent NGO personality and founder of Tulip National Academy, a resident of BMchar Salima Bonus in Matamuhuri upazila, said that the sun has not been visible for three days. When the rain stops, it seems that the water will recede, but after a while it is raining heavily again. There is knee-deep water on the roads. Movement has become very difficult.

Syed Alam, a farmer from Saharbil Union in Matamuhuri upazila, said that Aman’s seedbeds and vegetable fields have been submerged under water. There is a risk of major damage to the crops.

Shahidul Islam, a rickshaw driver of Chakaria Municipality, said that there are fewer passengers due to the rain. Even though he drives a rickshaw all day, he is not earning properly.  It has become difficult to run a household.

Chakaria and Matamuhuri Upazila Executive Officer Shahin Delwar said that information has been received that low-lying areas have been flooded due to heavy rains. Those living in the hills are being warned by miking to move safely. The sluice gates of the coastal unions have been opened so that the upstream water can quickly flow downstream. In addition, the upazila administration has opened an emergency control room to monitor the overall situation. All parties concerned have been kept ready to control the possible situation.

Cox’s Bazar Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md. Nurul Islam said that the water of the Matamuhuri River has already crossed the danger level. As of 12 noon on Tuesday, the river water was flowing at a height of 11.80 meters, exceeding the danger level and flowing at a height of 11.94 meters. He warned that the risk of flooding in low-lying areas could increase further if the situation continues.

Abdul Hannan, Assistant Meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar office of the Meteorological Department, said that there is a possibility of heavy rains for the next two days.  There is a risk of landslides and landslides if the rain continues