Flood Situation Deteriorates in Southern Chattogram, Three Upazilas Hit Hard

Flood crisis deepens in southern Chattogram as 5 lakh people stranded

Five days of incessant rain and heavy hill torrents have triggered severe flooding across southern Chattogram, leaving the upazilas of Satkania, Lohagara and Banshkhali facing a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Floodwaters from the Dolu and Sangu rivers have risen above danger levels, inundating vast areas and stranding nearly five lakh people, district administration officials said on Friday.

In response to the emergency, the government has cancelled all leave for district administration officials and employees to strengthen rescue and relief efforts.

Satkania worst affected

Satkania has borne the brunt of the flooding after the embankment along the Dolu River collapsed, sending water into all villages under its 17 unions and municipality.

According to the upazila administration, around three lakh people remain stranded. Roads in several unions, including Dhemsa and Bajalia, are submerged, while floodwaters have entered countless homes.

Large parts of the upazila have remained without electricity since Wednesday evening, and disruptions to mobile phone networks have hampered communication with affected residents.

The administration has sought 10 speedboats for rescue operations, although local boats are currently being used to evacuate people to safer locations.

Meanwhile, strong currents have snapped road communication between Chattogram and Bandarban via the Keranihat-Bandarban road.

Floods worsen in Lohagara

The situation in neighbouring Lohagara has also deteriorated as rising waters from the Sangu and Dolu rivers, coupled with hill torrents, continue to inundate low-lying areas.

Amirabad, Adhunagar, Padua and Lohagara unions have been extensively flooded, with Amirabad suffering the worst damage.

Floodwaters have entered homes in several villages, disrupting cooking and sanitation. Fire Service personnel are rescuing pregnant women and elderly residents and transporting them to emergency shelters.

Farmers count losses in Banshkhali

Coastal Banshkhali has also been badly affected, with floodwaters inundating Puichhari, Napora, Chhanua, Saral, Shekherkhil, Bailchhari and Katharia unions.

About one lakh people remain marooned in the upazila. Hundreds of hectares of Aman rice seedbeds have been damaged, while numerous fish farms have been washed away, causing heavy financial losses for farmers.

Mamunur Rashid, a resident of Manik Pathan village in Katharia union, told the Daily Sun that most mud houses in the village had been damaged by the floods. Many families have been forced to leave their homes and are still waiting for assistance while struggling to secure food.

Rivers remain above danger level

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said the Sangu River at the Dohazari point has crossed the danger mark. Continuous hill torrents have intensified pressure on downstream areas, while rising water from the Hangar canal and the Dolu River has inundated new localities.

Authorities have opened emergency shelters across the affected upazilas. Satkania alone has activated 89 shelters, while additional centres in Chandanaish and Lohagara are accommodating thousands of displaced residents.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has allocated 200 metric tonnes of rice along with cash assistance for flood victims. However, local representatives and residents said a shortage of boats has delayed the distribution of relief materials, including dry food and safe drinking water, to many remote areas.

Flooding has also spread to Chakaria and the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila in Cox's Bazar, where low-lying areas under 18 unions and one municipality have gone underwater, leaving more than two lakh people stranded.

Although rainfall eased slightly over the past 24 hours, the weather office said the sky remained overcast. Authorities warned that the flood situation in southern Chattogram is unlikely to improve until hill torrents from the surrounding areas subside completely.