Severe flooding has engulfed Pekua upazila in Cox’s Bazar as days of heavy rainfall, hill runoff and high tides swelled the Matamuhuri River, breaching a flood-control embankment at two points in the Mehernama area and sending strong currents into nearby communities.
The flooding has inundated vast areas of the upazila, leaving an estimated 100,000 or more people stranded, according to local sources.
Residents said hundreds of people worked throughout Wednesday night to protect the vulnerable section of the embankment between the East Mehernama rubber dam area and Sluice Gate No. 34 by piling earth and sandbags. Despite their efforts, the embankment gave way at two points before dawn under the pressure of high tide, allowing floodwaters to rush into surrounding villages.
The breach has submerged homes, educational institutions, mosques, markets, roads, fish farms and large tracts of agricultural land. In many places, floodwater has risen from waist to chest level, leaving residents confined to their homes and making boat travel the only practical means of transportation.
Flood-affected families are facing shortages of safe drinking water, dry food, baby food and essential medicines. Many households have also been unable to cook because their kitchens are underwater.
The flooding has also submerged hundreds of acres of aman paddy fields, vegetable farms and numerous shrimp and fish enclosures, dealing a heavy financial blow to farmers and fish cultivators. Transport: Rural roads have been submerged, disrupting transport, and as rural roads have gone underwater, educational institutions remain closed.
Pekua Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rafiqul Islam said the administration was closely monitoring the situation. He said authorities were coordinating with the relevant agencies to contain further erosion and deliver relief and emergency assistance to flood-hit residents.
Locals fear the situation could deteriorate further if rainfall and upstream flows continue.
Several areas of Ujantia, Rajakhali, Mognama, Toitong, Shilkhali, Barabakia and Pekua Sadar unions have already been inundated.
Residents urged the authorities to repair the damaged embankment immediately, warning that more areas could be flooded during the next high tide unless urgent measures are taken.
They also called for adequate relief assistance and safe shelter for affected families.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
