The low-lying areas inundated due to incessant rains and mountainous slopes in Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari. Thousands of families are suffering as there has been a severe shortage of clean water.
The people in the flood-affected areas are also suffering the outbreak of various water-borne diseases due to clean water shortage. On the other hand, Aman and Aush paddy fields and hundreds of ponds have been submerged in flood waters.
Many shops are still under water in Merung Bazar. There are more than 100 families in the shelter. Boats are currently only means of the movement for the people of the flood-hit areas.
Task Force on Rehabilitation of India-returnee Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons Chairman Kujendra Lal Tripura distributed relief assistance among the flood-affected families in Merung union of Dighinala upazila. The army has also continued to provide relief assistance as well as treatment in the affected areas.
Dighinala Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Shahadat Hossain said that 453 hectares of land in Dighinala and 28 hectares of land in Aush have been damaged in the flood. Besides, 18 hectares of seed beds have been submerged in water. In the upazila, 1,500 farmers have suffered losses.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Arafatul Alam said that 15 metric tons of food grains have been allocated to help the flood-affected people.
Meanwhile, Maksudur Rahman, executive engineer of Khagrachhari Roads and Highways Division, said that various roads under Khagrachhari-Chattogram road division have been damaged due to continuous rain for a few days. Landslides have occurred at several places, especially on Dighinala, Baghaihat-Marishya road. Initially, efforts have been made to keep it active through mobile teams. The full extent of the damage has not yet been determined.
Dighinala Army Zone (Acting) Commander Major Nafiz PSC said, “Until the flood situation improves, the army will provide relief and medical assistance in the flood-affected areas.”
JH
