Comilla Correspondent: The flood situation worsened in most areas in Comilla due to landslides and continuous heavy rains. Village after village is drowning. About 1.2 million people in this district have become waterlogged. On the other hand, in some areas of Nangalkot and Chauddagram upazilas, the situation has improved due to a reduction in water. However, there is a shortage of clean water and food.
In the areas where the water is rising, there is a flood of people in search of safe shelter. Burichong and Brahmanpara, Nangalkot upazilas of Comilla have entire ground floors of many houses. Residents have taken shelter on the roof of the house.
On Saturday (August 23) at 1:00 p.m., these images were seen on the ground in Burichong and Nangalkot upazilas in Bharsar, Ichapura, Shonalal, Raikot, Mahini Mahishmara, Kharataia, Gazipur, and Bakshimul areas.
Road traffic is being disrupted due to the inundation of flood water in most areas of Comilla. Mobile phone and internet connections have been cut in different areas. As a result, they are unable to communicate with their relatives. Thousands of families are without electricity. Rescue operations are being hampered by strong water currents and a lack of various equipment, including boats.
The stove is not burning. Therefore, many are spending their days starving and half-starving. Apart from the government, private volunteers have started relief activities, but it is not enough, Banvasi complained.
Akalima Akter is a resident of Mahishmara in Buring. Last Friday night, their residence was knee-deep. When the water rose in the morning, she left for the city with her two children and husband.
Mamun Sardar of the Bakshimul area has left the residence. He said, ‘It is difficult to leave the house of the father and grandfather. I went out today with everyone to save my life.
Another resident of the same area said, “There is no such water in life. What else will I do to Allah?’
Meanwhile, Saiful Islam, a resident of Burburia village of Comilla Burichong upazila, took shelter in the dam at night with six family members and some poultry after the news of the Gomti river dam breaking. He has been staying with his wife and children in a place surrounded by polythene since night.
Saiful Islam said, I have not received any government food assistance. A man from the city gave bread bananas.
Helena, a disabled widow who took shelter next door, showed her house and said, “I saved my life by climbing the embankment with my two daughters.” I could not bring anything. Everything in the house was under water. The situation is similar for other people who took refuge in the dam.
Sanjida Begum, who took shelter in the dam, said that she has not seen anyone from the administration since the dam was broken at night. The matter was informed to the administration from the afternoon before the dam was broken, but no one came forward to help.
Burichong Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Sahida Akhtar said that 35 shelters have been opened in this upazila for flood victims. More than 60,000 families are stuck in water till morning. The number is increasing. The people of Sholanal Union of the upazila were the most affected by the dam break. Two shelters were closed due to rising water.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer. Abed Ali said 14 out of 17 upazilas in Comilla have been affected by floods. More than 7 lakh people in 118 unions have become waterlogged. We are distributing relief and food items to the flood victims. A request has been sent to the ministry to continue the assistance.
District civil surgeon Nasima Akhtar said that 227 medical teams are working in the flood-affected areas. They are coordinating with the Upazila administration.
At around 2 pm on Saturday, Water Development Board, Comilla Executive Engineer Khan Mohammad Waliuzzaman, said the water in the Gomti River has started receding. By 2 pm, the water was flowing over 109 cm above the danger line.
Deputy Commissioner of Comilla Khandkar Mu. Mushfiqur said that the relief materials are being distributed among the flood-affected people. All educational institutions in the affected areas have been declared shelters. Dry food, saline, and medicines are stocked for flood-affected people. Relief distribution continues. We are constantly monitoring.
Earlier, heavy rains and torrential downpours from India broke the dam at a place called Burburiya in Sholanal Union of Burichong Upazila of the district at around 12:15 last night.
