While urban dwellers often welcome the monsoon, for the residents of the hills, heavy rainfall brings the terrifying prospect of flooded homes and landslides.
The continuous heavy downpour has flooded several upazilas in Rangamati district, including Jurachhari, Barkal, Baghaichhari, and Bilaichhari.
The remote Farua union in Bilaichhari has been particularly devastated, with over 12,000 people currently marooned as low-lying areas are swallowed by rising waters.
A landslide at the Arunodaya view point on Rajasthali-Farua border has caused extensive damage to the road, severing transport links on the border road.
Consequently, all communication between Farua Bazar, Saichal, and Dumdumya union in Jurachhari has been completely suspended.
Villages including Goyainchhari, Chaindyachhari, Shukorchhari, Egujyachhari, Yamunachhari, Uluchhari, Taktanal, and Orachhari have seen their low-lying areas flooded.
The floods have caused widespread damage to houses, shops, roads, and agricultural land, while also inundating religious sites and neighbourhood centres.
Sudatta Tanchangya, a local resident, remarked that for the people of Farua, the monsoon is a season of panic.
“While others enjoy the rain, we are left wondering when the water will flood our houses,” he said, though he said water levels had begun to recede slightly compared to the previous day.
Another resident, Uttam Kumar Tanchangya, said approximately 3,400 families are suffering due to the disruption of communication and the inundation of markets and homes. He said urgent assistance is needed from the administration and all sectors of society.
Bidyalal Tanchangya, chairman of Farua Union Parishad, stated that knee-deep water has already flooded more than 1,000 families in various villages. He warned that if the heavy rainfall continues, the union could face even greater damage.
Local residents have expressed disappointment that no relief has yet reached them from the upazila administration or the union parishad, leading to a burgeoning food crisis as shops remain closed.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Zakir Hossain confirmed that nearly 25,000 people across Bilaichhari Upazila have been affected by the flooding.
He explained that the administration has been unable to reach Farua union due to the rising water levels, where more than 12,000 people are suffering.
The UNO added that instructions have been issued to the union parishad chairman to provide all possible cooperation to the victims.
