Unusual weather patterns triggered by a depression over the sea are creating severe conditions along the coastal districts adjoining to Bay of Bengal. For the past two days, gusty winds and heavy rain, coupled with abnormal tidal surges, have caused widespread flooding in low-lying areas.
Homes have been submerged, roads have collapsed, and agricultural lands, as well as fish farms, have been severely damaged. Several places have reported riverbank erosion, and the daily life of people in coastal regions is in turmoil.
Floods in Lakshmipur due to abnormal tides and heavy Rain
Heavy rain and unusual tidal surges in the Meghna River have flooded low-lying areas in the Ramgati, Kamalnagar, and Sadar Upazilas of Lakshmipur. The Water Development Board has reported that water levels in the Meghna River have increased by four to five feet over the last two days. Hundreds of families are facing hardship as floodwaters continue to rise during high tide, and in some areas, the water recedes slightly after the low tide, only to rise again when the tides come in.
Sources reveal that vast areas in Kamalnagar’s Char Kalkini, Char Falkon, Saheber Hat, Patoari Hat, Char Martin, Char Lorence, Ramgati’s Alexander, Barakhari, Char Gazi, Char Abdullah, and Sadar’s Char Romonimohan Union have been submerged. Ponds and fish farms have been flooded, and crops have been destroyed. Many homes are inundated, and without embankments, tidal surges directly enter residential areas.
Local residents report that at least 12 new areas have started experiencing riverbank erosion. Nurul Amin, a resident of Char Falkon, shared that his pond’s fish have been washed away and vegetables in his fields have drowned. Nahid Uzzaman, the executive engineer at Lakshmipur Water Development Board, warned that river water levels may continue to rise in the coming days.
Over 100 villages submerged in Pirojpur
In Pirojpur, river water levels have surged unusually high due to continuous rain and gusty winds. The districts of Sadar, Indurkani, Kaukhali, Mathbaria, Bhandaria, Nazirpur, and Nesarabad have witnessed widespread flooding. Water from the Kacha, Baleshwar, Kaliganga, Taltola, Madhumati, and Sandhya rivers has risen by 4-5 feet, causing floods in riverside villages. Local residents also report an increase in riverbank erosion.
District Commissioner Mohammad Ashraful Alam Khan confirmed that all waterlogged families will receive food and financial assistance. Regular communication is being maintained with the fish farmers as well.
Patuakhali faces severe flooding
In Patuakhali, vast areas have been flooded due to the rising tides. People trapped in their homes are trying to protect their belongings. Various villages in Lohalia and Komlapur Unions in Sadar Upazila are severely affected. On Saturday afternoon, floodwaters entered Rangabali, Galachipa, Kalapara, Dashmina, Baufal, Dumki, and Mirzaganj Unions. In Dumki’s Muradia area, the embankment broke, flooding Aman seedbeds, roads, and homes.
Meanwhile, the sea remains rough. Heavy rain was reported on Saturday morning. Mahbuba Sukhi, the in-charge of the Patuakhali Meteorological Office, confirmed that the depression in the Bay of Bengal has passed over Bangladesh’s coastline and moved toward India. A number 3 warning has been issued for seaports and a number 1 warning for river ports.
Jhalkathi’s lowlands submerged
In Jhalkathi, water levels in the Sugandha, Bishkhali, Holta, Basanda, Dhanshiri, and Gabkhan channels have exceeded danger levels. The water levels in these rivers have increased by 2-3 meters. More than 20 villages in the district’s four Upazilas have been flooded. However, water levels have started to decrease since Saturday morning.
Several villages in Kewra, Kriptopasha, Ponabalia Unions of Jhalkathi Sadar, and Rajapur’s Boriya, Nizamiya, Palat, Badhurtala, Nalachita’s Nachonmahal, and Bhabanipur have been submerged. Floodwaters from the Sugandha River have entered low-lying areas in the city’s old Kalabagh, Launchghat, and Municipal Mini Park areas. In the Bishkhali river, floodwaters have affected areas in the Baidharapara, Bhatarakanda, Sachilapur, Kistakathi, Manikisundar, and Napiterhat areas of Sadar Upazila. Many agricultural lands, including shrimp farms, have also been inundated in Kachhual, Joikhali, Mashabunia, Saillarchar, Kachuya, Raghuradarichor, and Zangalia in Kathiara.
Barisal area faces increased water levels in rivers
In Barisal, the Payra, Bishkhali, and Baleshwar rivers have seen a water surge, exceeding danger levels by 34 centimeters on Saturday. Low-lying areas in the district have been submerged.
The ongoing coastal floods, primarily triggered by the depression over the sea, have caused widespread damage. It has submerged homes, agricultural lands, and fish farms. As river waters rise in several districts, local governments are working to provide relief to affected families, while concerns remain over rising water levels in the coming days. The authorities are on high alert as the weather system continues to impact coastal areas.