At least 30 villages in Laskerpur Union of Habiganj Sadar Upazila have been inundated following river erosion, leaving around 50,000 people stranded amid severe shortages of safe drinking water and food.
Local residents have blamed illegal sand extraction from the riverbed and soil removal near the riverbank for the collapse of the protection embankment that triggered the flooding. Public anger is growing against those involved in what locals describe as “sand looting”.
A visit to the affected areas found waist-deep water inside more than 500 homes across Laskerpur, Lamatashi and Poil unions. Rural roads, farmland and low-lying areas have been submerged, causing the greatest suffering for children, women and elderly people.
Many families have been forced to leave their homes and take shelter in relief centres, educational institutions and relatives’ houses.
The biggest challenge for flood victims is access to safe drinking water. As most tube wells have gone underwater, residents are struggling to collect clean water and many have to travel long distances for supplies. Shortages of food, baby food and essential medicines have also emerged.
According to local residents, the flood began after the river protection embankment at Kaliganj area on the Khowai River collapsed at around 9:30pm on Thursday.
Floodwaters quickly spread into at least 30 villages, including Noabad, Charhamua, Sughar, Bangaon, Natun Bazar, Balihata, Kaliganj, Jadavpur, Bishnurampur, Dakshinchhar, Ramnagar, Bondokkhin, Shiyal Dariya, Mashajan, Abdabkhai, Sultanshi, Katiati, Shivpasha and Sharifpur.
Although water remains in several low-lying areas, the Khowai River’s water level has receded significantly, and floodwaters are gradually declining in many affected locations.
Residents alleged that continuous illegal extraction of sand and soil near the river protection embankment in the Charhamua-Kaliganj area caused the disaster.
They said a small group of influential people had benefited from illegal extraction, while thousands of ordinary residents were now paying the price.
The floods have caused damage worth crores of taka to fish farms, crop fields, vegetable gardens and household belongings.
Abdus Salam, an affected resident, said illegal sand extraction was responsible for the crisis.
“Because of the sand traders, such a devastating situation has occurred. Thousands of people are now suffering,” he said.
He added that his fish farm, vegetable fields and household belongings had suffered losses of around Tk30 lakh due to the flood.
Monowar Hossain said his house was filled with waist-deep water and his family had been forced to stay at a shelter.
“We could not take anything out of our house. The flood has destroyed everything,” he said, demanding immediate action against those involved in illegal sand extraction.
Iman Ali said residents had never expected such a sudden disaster.
“There is only water everywhere in our homes. Although we are surrounded by water, we are suffering from a lack of safe drinking water,” he said.
Matiur Rahman said his vegetable fields and house had been submerged.
“I am helpless now. If the government provides support, we can somehow survive with our families,” he said.
Local residents said effective measures, including stopping illegal sand extraction from the Khowai River, proper river management and permanent embankment protection, were necessary to prevent repeated suffering every monsoon.
Laskerpur Union acting chairman Ujjwal Mia said he had never witnessed such severe flooding in the area before.
“Relief distribution has started for the affected people, and eight shelters are currently operating,” he said, adding that illegal sand extraction was behind the crisis.
Habiganj Water Development Board engineer Sayedur Rahman said vulnerable erosion points had been inspected.
“The district administration has arranged food supplies for those staying at shelters. Work to rebuild the damaged embankment will begin soon,” he said.
Habiganj-3 lawmaker Alhaj GK Gaus said many people had complained that sand extraction had caused the embankment collapse.
“There is no arrangement for leasing sand extraction from the Khowai River. Those who have extracted sand illegally will face legal action according to the law,” he said.
