At least 4 killed, 2.5 lakh marooned due to floods in Ctg; situation improves in Khagrachari 

At least four people have been killed in four upazilas of Chattogram in the ongoing flood, according to the Department of Disaster Management.

Besides, over 2.5 lakh people from some 50,700 families have been stranded due to the flood in at least nine upazilas of the southeastern district, the government agency said this afternoon (23 August).

The upazilas are: Fatikchari, Mirsarai, Hathazari, Rangunia, Rauzan, Sitakunda, Karnaphuli, Patia, Boalkhali,Banshkhali and Lohagora.

With water levels of Feni and Gomti rivers flowing 1 to 2 metres above the danger level, new areas are being flooded.

Meanwhile, rail or road communication with the district and other parts of the country has been cut off since Thursday evening with the Dhaka-Chattagram highway and rail tracks going under water. No bus or any other vehicles are plying the road as of today.

Even newspapers from Dhaka haven't reached the port city, according to agents of media outlets. 

Among the deceased, two men drowned in flood water in Fatikchari, one in Hathazari upazila died from electrocution, and another one drowned in Rangunia, Md Saifullah Majumder, relief and repatriation officer of Chattogram told The Business Standard.

He, however, could not identify the victims immediately. 

Meanwhile, many have also gone missing amid the flood, Saifullah said. 

"We are conducting rescue operations. There are also reports of missing people. More than 9,000people have taken shelter in 94 shelter centres. In addition, more than 350 cattle have also been brought to the shelters. 107 medical teams are working. 295 tonnes of rice and 8 lakhs in cash have been allocated for providing those in the shelters with necessary services. So far, 110 tonnes of rice have been distributed," he added.

"Feni and Halda rivers are flowing above 1-2 metres beyond the danger level at most points. Mirsarai and Fatikchari upazilas next to these two rivers have been submerged in flood water. Also, several new areas of Raujan, Rangunia and Hathazari upazilas have been flooded," Tanzir Ahmed, executive engineer of the Water Development Board, told The Business Standard.

In the Hathazari and Fatikchari border areas, water levels have infiltrated the land after breaking the embankment in Halda River, rapidly flooding villages as of Friday evening.

In the Nazirhat area, an embankment has also been destroyed due to water pressure flooding the Chattogram-Khagrachari Highway.

According to the Water Development Board data, the danger level for waterflow at Ramgarh Point of Feni River is 16.90 metres, but at 9:00 am Friday, the water level at that point was recorded to be 18.90 metres. Similarly, at Narayanghat Point of Halda River, the water level was recorded at 15.90 metres in the morning, which is 1.10 metres above the danger level.

In the meantime, bringing slight hope, water levels in Sangu, Ichamati, Chengi, Maini and Dhrungkhal rivers have decreased to the danger level, improving the flood situation in Khagrachari. 

"Flood water has receded from Khagrachari sadar. There is no rain now. Rivers are also flowing under the danger level," said Tanzir Ahmed 

He also said that water is flowing over the Dhaka-Chattagram and Fatikchari-Chattogram highways, as a result, vehicles other than rescuers are not allowed to ply from Baroyarhat in Mirsarai.