Flooding in Chittagong is worsening, with nine upazilas submerged and 45,916 families—totaling 248,050 individuals—facing severe distress.
Persistent rainfall and upstream runoff from India have exacerbated the flooding, causing most of Chittagong's rivers to overflow. However, rain has somewhat decreased since Thursday afternoon.
According to Chittagong District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Saifulah Majumder nearly 250,000 people are now stranded across nine upazilas.
The distribution includes: Fatikchhari with 19,580 families (102,000 people) in 20 unions, Mirsharai with 12,000 families (48,500 people) in 12 unions, Sitakunda with 5,000 families (20,000 people) in 6 unions, Hathazari with 120 families (2,800 people), Karnaphuli with 100 families (500 people) in 5 unions, Patiya with 6,946 families (20,000 people) in 18 unions, Boalkhali with 100 families (700 people) in 3 unions, Bashkhali with 1,750 families (8,750 people) in 8 unions, and Ruma with 320 families (1,600 people) in 13 unions.
Majumder also said that 800 tons of rice have been allocated for disaster relief, with 200 tons distributed so far across the affected upazilas: 50 tons in Fatikchhari, 50 tons in Mirsharai, 20 tons in Sitakunda, 15 tons in Hathazari, 10 tons in Karnaphuli, 10 tons in Patiya, 10 tons in Boalkhali, 20 tons in Bashkhali, and 15 tons in Ruma.
Many residents have taken refuge in shelters, with some bringing their livestock along. Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Ilyas Choudhury stated that 111 mobile medical teams have been deployed across the nine upazilas, including 7 teams in Fatikchhari, 21 in Mirsarai, 15 in Sitakunda, 20 in Hathazari, 23 in Patiya, 15 in Boalkhali, and 15 in Bashkhali.
Fatikchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mozammel Haque Choudhury said that persistent rains have caused local canals to overflow, flooding various areas. Shelters have been opened, and a control room has been established to manage the flood, waterlogging, and landslide situations.
Residents in Fatikchhari have said that the Halda River and Dhurung Canal are flowing above danger levels. Several roads, including the Paindong-Narayanhat and Suayabil areas, and the Katirhat-Somitirhat roads, have been inundated with water up to chest level.
Patenga Meteorological Office Assistant Meteorologist Abdul Barek said that 157mm of rain was recorded in the last 24 hours as of noon Thursday, with 72 mm recorded between 9am and 12pm.
While rainfall would decrease from the afternoon, intermittent rain is expected over the next three days before clearer skies are anticipated, he added.
