A 70-year-old man died after drowning in floodwaters in Rajnagar upazila of Moulvibazar, where flooding worsened following an embankment breach. His body was recovered on Friday morning.
The deceased was identified as Md Ashraf Ali, also known as Ashai Mia, a resident of Akua village under Tengra Union. His body was found floating beside a ring embankment in the Bhangarhat-Akua area at around 9am on Friday.
According to local sources, the area has remained inundated for several days due to continuous heavy rainfall and water flowing down from upstream. It is believed that Ashraf Ali was swept away after accidentally falling into floodwaters accumulated around his home.
Locals spotted the body and informed his family. His son, with the help of local residents, later recovered the body.
A large section of the Manu River embankment in the Akua area of Rajnagar reportedly collapsed on Thursday night. Strong currents entered residential areas, inundating several villages within a short time. Ashraf Ali went missing that night after becoming trapped in the floodwaters.
Matin Mia, acting chairman of Tengra Union Parishad, said: “The news of Ashraf Ali's death is extremely heartbreaking. As the area remains submerged in floodwater, movement has become risky. We are making announcements and conducting publicity on behalf of the administration to urge every family to remain cautious. Such a death in a flood-affected area is very unfortunate for us. We stand beside the bereaved family and will try to provide all necessary assistance.”
The local administration said that residents of low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer places as the flood situation has deteriorated.
Water levels in the Manu River in Rajnagar have continued to rise due to runoff from upstream, resulting in breaches in the river protection embankment in the Uzirpur and Haripasha areas of Tengra Union at around 5pm on Thursday. Several thousand people in around 20 villages have been stranded by floodwaters.
The affected villages in Tengra Union include Uzirpur, Haripasha, Ibrahimpur, Kachari, Ekamadhu, Kandirkul and Panditnagar.
Residents of Rambhadrapur, Salon, Paikpara, Deflaura, Ganeshpur, Akua, Konagaon, Tagarpur and Bhangarhat are also at risk of flooding.
The Rajnagar Upazila Administration is carrying out rescue operations in the affected areas. Flood-hit communities are facing shortages of drinking water, cattle feed and other essential supplies.
With homes inundated, some residents have taken shelter on higher sections of the Manu River protection embankment, while others have moved to the homes of relatives nearby.