Continuous heavy rainfall for six consecutive days, tidal water, and an inadequate drainage system have virtually paralyzed public life in Hatiya, an island upazila of Noakhali.
As many as 80 villages across 11 unions of the upazila remain submerged in water. Though water has started to recede in some areas, at least 50,000 people have become stranded, living in subhuman conditions.
According to local sources, waterlogging has occurred in most wards of Hatiya Pourasava, as well as in Nizhum Dwip, Sonadiya, Burirchar, Harani, Chanandi, Charking, Sukhchar, Nalchira, Jahajmara, Tamaraddi, and Char Ishwar unions. Lawns of houses in some places, educational institutions in others, and mud-and-brick roads and marketplaces elsewhere have been submerged in water. In many areas, water ranging from knee-deep to waist-deep has accumulated inside houses.
The suffering of waterlogged people is increasing day by day. As cooking stoves have submerged under water, many families are unable to cook food properly. A crisis of pure drinking water has emerged. There is also a growing fear of waterborne diseases spreading among children and the elderly.
Monowara Begum, a resident of Nijhum Dwip union, said, "There is no embankment around us. Water rises whenever the tide comes in. This time, after six days of continuous rain, my kitchen has gone underwater. I'm in great misery with my young children. If the water does not recede quickly, there will be even greater danger."
Afrina Begum, a resident of Ward No. 3 of the pourasava, said, "The stove is submerged, and cooking becomes impossible. The tube well is also underwater. The crisis of pure drinking water takes a severe turn. Though some dry food was provided by the government, not everyone received it. If relief does not arrive quickly, many families will go hungry."
Nasima Akhter, a resident of Harani union, said: "There is knee-deep water inside my house. I am in great distress with children and the elderly. Out of fear, I cannot sleep at night. Until now, no public representative has come to check on us."
The waterlogging has dealt a major blow to the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Thousands of acres of Aman seedbeds, seasonal vegetable fields, and fish enclosures have been submerged under water. With fish washed away from many enclosures, small-scale fish farmers are facing massive losses.
Burirchar union farmer Md Kamal Uddin said, "The Aman seedbed, vegetable fields, and fish enclosures—everything is gone. Months of hard work were ruined in just one rainfall. I don't even have the capital to start farming anew."
Meanwhile, village roads have been submerged, disrupting vehicular movement. Relatives are facing extreme suffering while taking emergency patients to the hospital. Educational activities are also being hampered as water has entered the fields and classrooms of various educational institutions. Md Amir, a rickshaw puller from Nalchira union, said, "People do not leave their houses because there is water on the road. I sit with my rickshaw all day. I cannot even earn enough to pay the owner's daily rent. Managing the family expenses has become difficult."
Hatiya Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Md Anisur Rahman said people in about 70 to 80 villages in Hatiya Upazila are waterlogged. Information about the affected areas is being collected. The situation is being monitored round-the-clock under the direction of the upazila administration. Preparations are in place for necessary relief assistance.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Rasel Iqbal said that Hatiya is a river-surrounded upazila. Waterlogging occurs due to poor drainage systems in several areas. Water has started receding from many areas. A total of 242 shelter centers have been kept ready. Special teams have been formed in each union. So far, relief assistance has been provided to about one thousand people. The administration is prepared to conduct necessary relief and rescue operations.
END/CORRESPONDENT/ASA
