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Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Heavy rainfall and upstream hill runoff have caused flash floods in parts of Moulvibazar, Bangladesh, breaching embankments and inundating villages.
- At least two villages in Kamalganj upazila were flooded after an embankment collapse, affecting numerous households and damaging roads.
- Farmers in the haor areas are struggling to harvest Boro paddy due to rising water levels, with significant crop losses reported amid concerning rainfall totals for April.
Moulvibazar district is currently grappling with severe flash floods, a consequence of relentless heavy rainfall and substantial upstream hill runoff. The deluge has overwhelmed local waterways, leading to the breach of crucial embankments and subsequent inundation of numerous villages and vital agricultural lands. In Kamalganj upazila, the collapse of an embankment along the Lawachhara canal has submerged at least two villages, Bhanubil and Chhangaon, leaving 40-50 households affected and causing widespread damage to village roads. Local residents described the flooding as sudden and devastating, with water levels rising rapidly to engulf homes and disrupt daily life.
The administration is monitoring the situation and will take necessary steps to support the affected people.
The impact extends critically to the agricultural sector, particularly in the haor areas of Juri and Kulaura upazilas. Farmers are facing immense challenges in harvesting their Boro paddy crops as water levels continue their alarming ascent. Many have reported significant losses, with vast tracts of cultivated land remaining submerged. The situation is exacerbated by the persistent rain, leaving farmers with few options to protect their harvests. Some have resorted to desperate measures, cutting paddy from inundated fields and transporting it by boat, or leaving bundles to float before collection.
The floodwater entered homes suddenly, damaging furniture and stored goods.
Meteorological data paints a concerning picture, with Moulvibazar recording approximately 530mm of rainfall in April, significantly exceeding the monthly average of 300mm. The last three days of April alone saw nearly 300mm of rain. This extraordinary rainfall has placed immense pressure on the region's infrastructure and agricultural output. The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) is monitoring the situation, while local agricultural officers are assessing the damage, with reports indicating that around 380 hectares of the 8,720 hectares cultivated in the haor region are already inundated. The administration has pledged support for the affected populations, but the immediate future remains uncertain as the rains continue.
The district received about 530mm of rainfall in April against an average of 300mm.
Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.