More than 35 villages in Feni’s Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas are under water after embankments along three rivers gave way at multiple points.
Relentless rain, combined with surging water from upstream in India, has sent rivers bursting past their danger points, forcing families to flee their homes in the middle of the night.
In the chaos, the Muhuri, Kuhua, and Silonia rivers tore through flood walls in 17 different places, swallowing everything from houses and roads to entire fields.
In Feni town, the water has started to recede slightly. But many low-lying areas remain flooded, making daily activities nearly impossible.
Power supply has been suspended in affected zones for safety reasons. Officials say electric meters and substations have been submerged in several parts of the district.
According to the local Water Development Board, the Muhuri River in Parshuram was flowing 1.57 meters above danger level as of midnight Tuesday. The river rose 6.92 meters in just 15 hours.
In the past 24 hours, Feni has recorded 439 mm of rain. More rain is expected through Wednesday and Thursday, warned Md Mojibur Rahman from the local met office.
Damage across the embankments is widespread. In Parshuram, collapse points have been reported in Jungleghona, Olka, Shaldhar, Gadanagar, Satkuchia, and Berabari. Fulgazi reported breaches in Uttar Sreepur, Derpara, and Daulatpur.
Many residents had to leave their homes quickly. Zakia Akhter from Chitholia said water entered her house around 8 p.m. “We had to evacuate with what we could carry. We lost everything in last year’s flood. Now it’s happening again.”
Some are questioning the preparedness of authorities. Rafiqul Islam of Mirzanagar blamed the Water Development Board for failing to close the Ballamukha embankment entry in time.
Local officials are responding. Parshuram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arifur Rahman said monitoring is ongoing, though not everyone is willing to relocate. Fulgazi UNO Fahria Islam said over 100 people have taken shelter so far, with food being distributed.
BWDB Executive Engineer Akhtar Hossain cautioned that if the rain continues upstream in India’s Tripura region, new embankment collapses could occur.
District Commissioner Saiful Islam said 131 schools have been prepared as emergency shelters. About 150 people have already moved in. Relief worth Tk 6.5 lakh and 400 food packets have been sent to affected areas.
A control room has been activated. Public and private offices have been instructed to safeguard essential documents and equipment. Over 2,500 trained volunteers are on standby.
Last year’s floods caused heavy losses in Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, and Cumilla. Residents in Feni now fear this could happen again.
With rain still falling and river levels high, the situation remains uncertain.
