Heavy rainfall and a tidal surge triggered by a low-pressure over the Bay of Bengal have submerged low-lying areas across Barguna, severely disrupting daily life.
River water in the Payra, Bishkhali, and Baleshwar has risen 43 centimetres above the danger level, with 55mm of rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours. As a result, large parts of the low-lying areas in the municipal town and coastal chars have gone underwater.
Inundation has affected coastal chars and parts of the municipal town, while ferry operations at Barai Tala terminal were halted as the gangway went underwater.
According to locals, the continuous rainfall over the past few days, coupled with the new moon, has caused river water levels to rise significantly above normal tides. This has resulted in water entering homes, shops, and roads. Inadequate attention to the town’s drainage system has worsened the waterlogging. Without immediate intervention, the damage could escalate.
Mahtab Hossain, water level gauge operator at the Barguna office of the Water Development Board, stated that water in the Bishkhali river near Barguna Sadar upazila is flowing 43 centimetres above the normal tide level under the influence of the low-pressure system. He predicted that the height might increase further at night.
Commuters waded through waist-deep water, and vehicles were stranded for hours. Locals reported water entering homes, shops, and roads, while poor drainage worsened the waterlogging.
Several upazilas—Taltali, Pathorghata, Bamna, Betagi, and Amtali—also reported flooding outside embankments, though no breaches have been reported. Residents of char areas without embankments expressed urgent need for protection.
Barguna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shafiul Alam said that the situation is being closely monitored, and preparations have been made to evacuate people from vulnerable areas to safety. He added that shelter centres would be opened if necessary.
