The low-lying areas of Barguna, Barishal, Jhalakathi and Bagerhat districts have been inundated due to the tidal surge triggered by the depression that lies over northeast Bay off West Bengal-North Odisha coast and adjoining areas.
All major rivers of the districts were flowing above its danger level, flooding many areas in the districts.
In Barguna, the residents of the districts have been experiencing incessant rainfall for the past six days from Tuesday due to the tidal surge, inundating low-lying areas of the district.
The rivers’ waters were flowing above its red-zone. The Payra, the Bishkhali and the Baleshwar rivers were flowing above its danger mark, inundating many villages.
Officials of the Water Development Board, said the Bishkhali river water was flowing 72 cm above its danger zone at Barguna point while 125 cm above at Patharghata point. The weather observatory center has recorded 51.5 mm of rainfalls in the past 24 hours.
The maritime ports of Bangladesh have been asked to hoist local cautionary signal NO 3, according to the weather bulletin.
The low-lying areas have been inundated by the 2-4 feet height above its normal astronomical tide and all fishing boats and trawlers have been asked to proceed with caution and remain close to the coast until further notice.
The inhabitants of the river banks are passing their days in fear as the flood protection dam may collapse any time due to the tidal surge.
Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of Barguna District Trawler Owners Association, said the fishing trawlers were kept at safe places.
Golam Mahmud, radio operator of Barguna Cyclone Preparation Programme (CPP), said it is difficult to say how many days the rains will continue.
In Bagerhat, the Sundarbans have been flooded by the tidal surge caused by the depression in the Bay of Bengal. Many areas in the Sundarbans including Dublarchar, Karamjal and Katka have been inundated, creating a habitat crisis for wild animals.
The low-lying areas in Bagerhat, Sadar, Morelganj, Rampal and Mongla upazilas have been submerged.
Mohammad Belayet Hossain, Divisional Forest Officer of Sundarbans East Zone, said the river waters were flowing 3-3.5 feet above the normal tide. Many deer have taken shelter at high places in the pond.
The deer were seen running to take shelter in high places.
Besides, the fishermen have taken shelter in the Sundarbans.
Depression in Bay: Low-lying areas of 4 districts inundated
There are 53 ponds and all the ponds water are full to the brim due to the tidal surge. The local residents feared of losing the source of sweet water.
Dilip Kumar Majumdar, officer-in-charge of Dublarchar Sundarbans East Division, said the water level of the ponds and rivers of the Sundarbans increased on Sunday.
ASM Russel, fisheries officer of Bagerhat district, said many fish enclosures are at risk of washing away and the owners of the fish enclosures are worried of possible losses.
In Jhalakathi, the Bishkhali and Sugandha rivers were flowing above its danger level caused by the incessant rainfall for the last several days, inundating 50 villages in four upazilas of the district.
Several hundred people have been suffering a lot and passing their days in worry.
The river waters also entered many educational institutions, prompting the authorities to provide leave to the students.
44 houses of Aura Asrayan Projects in Kathalia upazila were flooded while the Upazila Parishad building, UNO office and residence were also gone under 3 feet water, hampering the administrative works.
Besides, the embankment of Kachua Dhali Canal in Shouljalia union has collapsed, inundating roads, crop lands and villages.
The main market of Amua Port was also submerged.
21 villages in Kathalia upazila, eight in Sadar upazila, nine in Nalchiti upazila and 11 in Razapur upazila have been flooded by the tidal surge.
In Barishal, the water level of a number of rivers in the district have been overflowed due to the incessant rainfall for the last four days triggered by the depression in the Bay, flooding many low-lying areas.
Mahfuzar Rahman, an officer of Barishal Weather Observatory Centre, said they have recorded 57.4 mm of rainfalls till 3 pm on Sunday.
The waters will be flowing 204 feet above the normal astronomical tide.
Many roads in Barishal city have been submerged, causing immense suffering to the city dwellers.
In Bhola, 25 villages in Sadar upazila, Doulatkhan, Tajumuddin, Manpura and Char Fashion upazilas of the district have been flooded due to the tidal surge and incessant rains for the last five days, rendering 25,000-30,000 people homeless.
These villages includes—Razapur of Sadar upazila, Majher char in Kachia union of Sadar upazila, Madanpur, Hazipur, Tajumuddin, Char Zahiruddin in Daulatkhan upazila, dhalchar, Char Kukri Mukri, Char Nizam of char Fashion upazila, Kalatoli char of Manpura upazila and 10-12 others chars in the district.
Already 19 goats died in Razapur village of Bhola district.
The fish enclosures and ponds were washed away and the Aman seedbeds were also inundated.
Helal Uddin, a UP member of Razapur union, said the low-lying areas of the union have been flooded, causing untold sufferings to the residents.
Monir Hossain, an officer of Bhola Weather Observatory Centre, said the met office has recorded 2.3 mm of rainfalls from 6 am Saturday to 6 am Sunday while 19.6 mm of rainfall have been recorded in six hours from 6 am Sunday to 12 pm.
Rain will continue for Monday, he said.
Abdur Rahman, deputy assistant secretary of Water Development board, said the Meghna river was flowing 92 cm above its danger level in Bhola.
Source: United News of Bangladesh