The town of Feni has been submerged in water again, less than a year after the worst flood in memory. The situation in the flood-hit low-lying areas and riverside areas is gradually returning to normal. While water is still in some parts of Chhagalnaiya, Feni Sadar and Daganbhuiyan upazilas of the district, flood water has started to recede in most areas of the other two upazilas. Scars have emerged as the water recedes in the affected areas. The suffering of the people of Banbhasi due to the shortage of food and safe water in many areas has not yet subsided.

According to local sources, there is still water in some places in the flooded Parashuram, Fulgazi and Chhagalnaiya upazilas. As the traffic on the roads is normal, people who have reached their destinations are relieved. Although the flood water has receded in Fulgazi upazila, the water is receding slowly. In addition, water has not receded in some parts of Chhagalnaiya, Feni Sadar and Daganbhuiyan areas. In some of these areas, there is knee-deep water and in others, waist-deep water.

According to the district administration, water started entering the localities from last Tuesday (July 8) due to the breach of dams in Parashuram and Fulgazi upazilas. Gradually, the water in these two upazilas is receding and partial areas of Chhagalnaiya, Feni Sadar and Daganbhuiyan upazilas are being flooded again. Lakhs of people in 112 flooded villages are facing extreme suffering. Besides, about 9,500 people have taken shelter in 83 shelters. Of them, 5,000 people have already returned home from the shelters. 230 volunteers are working in coordination with the upazila administration in the affected areas.

According to the information provided by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Department, more than 2,350 fish pens and ponds and 1,655 hectares of Aman seedbeds have been damaged in this year's floods. In addition, the flood has so far caused damage to livestock worth 64 lakh 98 thousand 750 taka in Parshuram, Fulgazi and Chagalnaiya upazilas. They said that the final amount of damage will be revealed only after the water completely recedes.

Achma Akhter, a resident of North Taralia area of Fulgazi, said, "When the water recedes from the house, there is knee-deep water in the yard of the house. There is no situation to cook. Rice, pulses, paddy and other items in the house are soaked in water. Again, even though there is money, essential items are not available in the market due to lack of supply."

Another resident, Manjuna Akhtar, said that this time the water is receding much more slowly than usual. The low-lying areas are being flooded as water continues to enter through the breached part of the flood control dam. We want a permanent solution to this situation. Every year after the breach, government officials come and assure us of building a sustainable dam. But later, it is not implemented.

Md. Halim Chowdhury, a resident of Chithlia area of Parashuram, said, "I built a house by spending 230,000 taka with my entire life's savings. I haven't been able to use that house even for a day yet. I went to prevent it after hearing the news of the dam breaking, but by then the water had entered and the house was submerged before my eyes."

Feni Meteorological Office Officer-in-Charge Md. Mojibur Rahman said, moderate and heavy rainfall continued in the district for five consecutive days. However, the sun appeared on Friday. Since then, the rainfall has stopped.

Feni Water Development Board Executive Engineer Akhter Hossain Majumder said, "Although the river water is flowing well below the danger level in the Parashuram and Fulgazi sections, the water is slightly higher in the Chagalnaiya and Feni Sadar sections. Water is still entering through the breached area of the dam. A decision will be taken on repairing the dam only after the water recedes."

In this regard, Feni Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam said, an emergency meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee was held on Friday night. Farooq-e-Azam, Advisor to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief of the interim government, spoke in it. 2.3 million taka has been allocated for relief activities in the district. Another 4 million taka has been requested from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief for dry food, cow feed and baby food. The army is assisting the administration in rescue and relief activities through boats.

Earlier, heavy rains and upstream water from India caused erosion in 21 parts of the flood control dams on the Muhuri, Kahua and Silonia rivers on Tuesday (July 8).