Around 12,000 people have been left marooned in Farua union of Rangamati’s Bilaichhari upazila after heavy rainfall submerged the area for a second time, with residents saying they have yet to receive any assistance from the government, local administration or political representatives.
Although relief has begun reaching other flood-affected parts of the district, residents of Farua Bazar and surrounding villages alleged that they had been completely abandoned by their elected representatives and the authorities.
The flooding intensified on Friday night, inundating Farua Bazar and several villages, including Goyaichari, Chaindyachari, Shukurchari, Egujyachari, Jamunachari, Uluchari, Taktanal and Orachari.
The rising water has damaged houses, shops, agricultural land and religious sites, including Buddhist temples. Educational institutions and key internal roads also remain submerged under deep water.
Local residents expressed deep frustration over the absence of relief operations in the affected areas.
“It is as though the people of Farua have no political leaders, ministers or MPs. Even the administration has played no role here,” said Shimul Kanti Tanchangya, a resident of Tarachari village.
He alleged that political leaders were quick to approach residents for votes during elections but were nowhere to be found when the community was struggling to survive a natural disaster.
Nitya Joy Tanchangya, a resident of Goyaichari village, said the disaster had affected both the hill and Bengali communities equally.
The situation has been further complicated by a massive landslide at Arunoday View Point on the Rajasthali-Farua border.
The landslide completely destroyed the road, cutting off all ground communication between Rajasthali, Farua and Dumdumya union of Jurachhari upazila. As a result, vehicles belonging to the local administration have been unable to reach the affected areas by road.
Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Najma Afrafi said relief materials had been prepared but could not yet be delivered because of hazardous environmental conditions.
“We are aware of the situation in Farua. Two boats carrying relief materials have already departed through the Bilaichhari waterway,” the deputy commissioner said.
However, she said the boats had been unable to reach their destination because of dangerously strong currents.
The deputy commissioner added that landslides had blocked all vehicular access to the affected areas. She also sought cooperation from local people to overcome the logistical challenges and ensure that relief eventually reached those in need.
