As monsoon rains return, large parts of Feni are once again submerged, with thousands of families facing the same devastating consequences as in previous years.
The floodwaters have left a trail of destruction, prompting urgent calls for sustainable embankments to prevent future disasters.
During a visit to the affected areas on Saturday, Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk-e-Azam acknowledged the residents’ longstanding demand and said a Tk7,340 crore project has been proposed for constructing durable embankments in the region.
Flash floods caused by heavy rainfall and upstream water from India broke through embankments in Parshuram and Fulgazi, flooding over 112 villages and impacting at least 34,600 people. Chhagalnaiya and parts of Feni Sadar have also been severely affected.
As of Friday, embankments had collapsed in 23 locations, submerging roads and cutting off access. Power outages and mobile network disruptions have worsened conditions for displaced families.
In Parshuram alone, at least 50 homes have collapsed. In many villages, residents are stranded without clean water or food, and sanitation systems have failed.
“Last year we suffered, and now we’re underwater again,” said Razia Begum of Uttar Sripur in Fulgazi. “Flooding in July and August feels like a curse. Sometimes it feels like being born here was a mistake.”
Similar stories echo across the district. In three consecutive days of rainfall, rivers like Muhuri, Kahua, and Silonia have breached their banks, inundating new areas hour by hour.
Ali Azam, also from Uttar Sripur, said, “Water is rushing in through the broken embankments. Every hour, a new area is submerged. The government changes, but our suffering never does.”
Pushpita Rani of Gainbari said her home was submerged. “There’s a serious shortage of dry food and clean water. Every year, the embankments break. Some Water Development Board officials just do the minimum. We need a long-term, sustainable solution.”
In Parshuram and Fulgazi, over 80% of the population has been affected, with nearly half of the houses damaged. Agricultural fields have been buried under water or sand, destroying transplanted Aman crops. The loss of livestock has further deepened the crisis.
Hosne Ara, 40, from Fulgazi, described the nightmare: “We stayed on our roof with no food or clean water. The toilet was underwater. At night, we used sarees for privacy. It was humiliating.”
Abdul Ali, 52, from Parshuram, lost his home. “Now, even a drizzle makes me panic. I hoped this year would be different, but the flood was worse than anything I’ve seen.”
Since the flooding began on July 8, the district administration has been carrying out emergency relief work—distributing dry food, clean water, and oral saline. However, with vast damage to homes, infrastructure, agriculture, and fisheries, immediate relief alone is not enough.
There is a pressing need for clean water, cash support, hygiene materials, and shelter. In the long run, proper embankments, housing repair, restored sanitation, and livelihood assistance are essential to break the recurring cycle of devastation.
Every year, the floods return—and with them, the pain. Temporary relief comes and goes. But for Feni’s people, only sustainable, lasting solutions can offer hope for a safer, more stable future.
