Due to several days of heavy rainfall and flash floods from the hills, Baghaichhari upazila in Rangamati has been severely affected by floods.
According to the Upazila administration, 20 villages in 8 unions and 1 municipality have been submerged in floodwaters.
Approximately 3,000 families, totaling 10,000 people, are now trapped in floodwaters.
Additionally, there have been landslides on three major roads: Rangamati-Chittagong, Ghagra-Boraiyachhari-Bandarban, and Rangamati-Khagrachhari.
Landslides have occurred at 21 locations, and the Kengalchhari area of the Rangamati-Khagrachhari road has been flooded, resulting in road closures.
Local residents said that the low-lying areas of Baghaichhari upazila, including Sadar, Rupkari union, Baghaihat union, Sajek union, Marishya union, Baghaihat municipality, Khedarmara union, and several neighborhoods within the municipality such as Old Marishya, Master Para, Dhebar Para, Madhyama Para, West Muslim Block, College Para, Muslim Block, Madrasa Para, Haji Para, Babu Para, F Block, Kachalong Bazar, Bottali, and Lailya Ghonas, have been flooded.
Shamim Hossain, a resident of Baghaichhari, said that the water level of the Kachalong River has risen due to heavy rainfall in recent days, leading to flooding in Sajek, Rupkari, and parts of the Baghaichhari municipality. As a result, thousands of people have been trapped by the rising waters.
Sajek Union Parishad Secretary Bishwajit Chakraborty said that 200 families in Sajek Union are stranded by the floodwaters.
Four metric tons of food grains have been allocated for the affected families, and khichuri (a traditional rice dish) will be distributed among the flood victims, he added.
Meanwhile, Rangamati Roads and Highways Division Executive Engineer Shabuj Chakma said that continuous rainfall has caused landslides on the Rangamati-Chittagong, Ghagra-Boraiyachhari-Bandarban, and Rangamati-Khagrachhari roads, with 21 landslides recorded.
He also said that the Kengalchhari area of the Rangamati-Khagrachhari road has been submerged, halting vehicular movement.
He further mentioned that although the road was cleared and reopened after a landslide blocked the road for an hour in the Ghagra area of the Rangamati-Chittagong road, efforts are ongoing to clear debris from all affected spots.
Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shirin Akhter said that 55 shelters have been opened in the upazila, with 22 shelters already housing 1,500 people from 450 flood-affected families.
The district administration has provided relief supplies, and efforts are being made to distribute dry food to those affected, she said.
Most roads in the 8 unions and the municipality have been submerged, disrupting internal road communication. Additionally, the Marishya-Dighinala road is temporarily closed due to landslides, Shirin Akhter added.
