Due to lack of rain since last Tuesday night in Cox's Bazar, the water level of Matamuhuri river has decreased. As a result, water has started receding from the flooded areas of Chakaria-Pekua. As the water recedes, scars are emerging. The houses with mud walls were mixed with the ground, the furniture of many houses was washed away but most of them were damaged by wet conditions.
On Wednesday (August 9), it was seen on the ground that the embankment has been broken and the road has been broken and hundreds of scars have been created. Some roads have become impassable.
Meanwhile, there is a shortage of food and clean drinking water in the flood-affected areas. Because houses are submerged in water, it is not possible to cook. As a result, there is a cry for food and water in the flooded areas.
Shah Umrabad is the area between Laksharchar and Kakara Unions among the villages that have been affected the most by the floods. Most of the affected areas of this village are in Kakara Union. It is located on the north side of the Matamuhuri River. Although the flood water receded in other areas, the entire area including the road was under water till Wednesday afternoon. Because the long guide wall installed to prevent water from entering the Matamuhuri river has broken in this area.
No food aid reached Shah Umrabad area all day on Wednesday. Locals said that on Tuesday, the entire area was submerged in water up to the level of people's heads. After the rain subsided from the night, the water came to waist level. People are still unable to enter their homes. They complained and said, "I see in the television news that the district administration has allocated a large number of food aid to the flood victims. But we still haven't got a single handful (as of Wednesday afternoon). Local chairman Sahab Uddin did not inquire. There is no one to see our suffering or understand our pain.
Going to Batakhali Masterpara area on Wednesday afternoon, it can be seen that there is also water on the road. A nearby mosque and houses were seen under water. Local MP Zafar Alam visited the area in the afternoon. He inquired about the victims and provided immediate assistance.
90 percent of Saharbil Union has also been severely inundated by floods. Apart from houses, shops and businesses were also damaged. As of Wednesday afternoon, water receded from several areas, but 40 percent was seen under water.
Saharbil Union Council Chairman Nabi Hossain Chowdhury said, 90 percent of the area in my union has been flooded. Everything including fish farming, roads have been severely damaged. It is not yet possible to assess the damage. We have started relief operations from Tuesday. Due to excessive water accumulation on the road, the relief vehicles are not able to move properly. And unless there is heavy rain, everything will be back to normal by Friday.
Meanwhile, some areas in Badarkhali are being flooded again on Wednesday afternoon. As a result, panic has arisen in this area. However, those concerned say that if there is no rain, the water will not increase at an abnormal rate.
Chairman of Dulhazara Union Parishad Hasanul Islam Adar said that few areas of his union have been affected. As soon as the rain stopped, he went to the houses of the affected people and delivered relief. He said that quick steps will be taken to repair the damaged roads.
People in their 60s claim that they have never seen such a terrible flood in their long life. Many are claiming that due to unplanned culverts on the railway line, the water could not go down during the flood.
Local MP Zafar Alam said that the flood was caused due to excessive rain. Due to navigability problems in Matamuhuri river water could not move properly. Therefore dredging is needed in Matamuhuri river as soon as possible, he said.
He said that the government has given sufficient allocation. All kinds of measures have been taken to ensure that no flood-affected people starve under any circumstances. Relief assistance is being delivered to everyone's homes.
Member of Parliament Zafar Alam said, due to floods, hundreds of crores of rupees have been damaged in various sectors including shrimp farms, business establishments, houses, agriculture, roads and ponds in Chakaria. The government will stand by the affected people to compensate for this loss.
Meanwhile, it is alleged that the district administration has assessed the amount of damage without proper field survey Most of the papers have also been allocated. As a result, the relief activities of the district and upazila administrations at the field level were not visible.