The low-lying areas of Sunamganj city are still underwater, and the people marooned in the flooded Haor areas are counting their days until the floodwaters subside. Many of them have complained of not receiving any relief materials.
“The flood situation has prevailed for almost a month. We have been suffering for such a long time, and we have not gotten anything except dry food. How can we live on dry food for so long?” lamented Muhibur Rahman, a resident of Sadakpur village in Sunamganj Sadar upazila.
Shah Mia of the same village said relief efforts should be intensified. “Our lives are hanging by a thread. Some have received aid, others have not; the amount of relief materials is inadequate compared to the number of flood victims.”
Another local resident, Bacchu Mia, said he was worried about how his family would spend the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. “We do not even have rice, lentils, salt or edible oil. I do not know what I will do,” he said.
The floodwaters have destroyed at least 20 mud houses in the village, rendering hundreds homeless. Some have taken shelter in their neighbour’s homes while others are staying at their relatives’ house.
Altogether 4,747 homes have been fully destroyed and 40,541 partially damaged in 11 upazilas of Sunamganj, according to the district administration.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Shafiqul Islam said relief work was underway and rehabilitation would start later.
Sunamganj saw 85mm of rainfall in 24 hours to Friday morning.
In general, 50mm or more rainfall in one day causes stress on the local drainage system leading to localized flooding, according to the FFWC. Meanwhile, 300mm or more rainfall in 10 consecutive days impedes the drainage and is likely to cause rain-induced flood in the area.