51 lakh still marooned, death toll 18
The deceased include four in Cumilla, one in Feni, five in Chattogram, three in Noakhali, one in Brahmanbaria, one in Lakshmipur, and three in Cox’s Bazar
Around 51 lakh people across 11 eastern and southeastern districts remain marooned by water, with at least 18 deaths reported by Saturday evening due to the devastating floods that have been ravaging the country for the past four days.
The deceased include four in Cumilla, one in Feni, five in Chattogram, three in Noakhali, one in Brahmanbaria, one in Lakshmipur, and three in Cox's Bazar, according to Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
As of 7pm on Saturday, data from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief indicated that around 9.80 lakh families across eleven districts are trapped by water.
Additionally, a new flooding threat is emerging in the hilly areas as six of the 16 spillway gates at the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station were scheduled to be opened at 10pm Saturday night.
However, the power station authority has urged residents in the downstream regions not to panic.
Due to heavy rains over the past few days and runoff from the hills, the water level in Kaptai Lake in Rangamati has approached its maximum capacity. Consequently, the decision was made to open the gates, according to ATM Abduzzaheh, the station's managing engineer.
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According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), while river water levels in the flood-affected areas have not increased in the past 40 hours till 9pm on Saturday, the water levels in Feni and Cumilla are decreasing very slowly.
It may take another four days for the flood situation to normalise and for river levels to fall below the danger threshold, as per the FFWC.
Tanveer Hossain, a young volunteer involved in rescue operations and delivering relief to Daganbhuiyan upazila in Feni, said, "The situation here is much worse than we initially anticipated. Most houses are submerged up to the first floor."
"We brought one boat, but even if we had more than 100 boats, it wouldn't be possible to rescue everyone. While there are many rescue operations and relief efforts around the main roads, very few are reaching the interior villages," he added.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reports that while heavy rain is not expected anywhere in the country over the next three days, there is a possibility of moderate to heavy rain (up to 88 mm) in some areas of the three coastal divisions, including the flood-affected regions.
However, this rainfall is expected to be less intense compared to the heavy rains of the past few days, it said.
In response, 3,513 shelters have been established to provide refuge for 301,993 people and 21,695 livestock. Additionally, 769 medical teams are actively providing healthcare services to those affected in these districts.
No rise in river waters in flood zones
FFWC data indicates that water levels in the Kushiyara, Manu, Khowai, Meghna, and Halda rivers have decreased by up to 200 centimeters over the past 40 hours, as of 9pm on Saturday, offering hope for an improvement in the flood situation.
However, the rate of decrease in the Gumti River in Cumilla and the Muhuri River in Feni remains very slow, at less than 5cm every 3 hours.
According to the FFWC, water levels in major rivers in the northeastern, eastern, and southeastern regions of the country are beginning to recede.
Despite this, water levels remain above the danger threshold at eight points, including Amalshid of Kushiyara (11cm above danger level), Sheola of Kushiyara (1cm above danger level), Sherpur-Sylhet of Kushiyara (7cm above danger level), Marculi of Kushiyara (1cm above danger level), Moulvibazar of Manu (66cm above danger level), Balla of Khowai (25cm above danger level), Gumti of Cumilla (92cm above danger level), and Feni of Ramgar (30cm above danger level).
There has been no significant rainfall in the country or upstream since 9am on Saturday.
FFWC Executive Engineer Sarder Udoy Raihan told TBS that the decrease in water levels upstream is leading to an improvement in the current flood situation in the low-lying areas of Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Cumilla, and Chattogram districts.
He said, "We believe the flood situation may normalise by 28 August, but it will take more time for the water to recede completely."
He added, "Even if water is released from Kaptai Dam, it is not anticipated to significantly impact the current flood situation."
BMD Meteorologist Md Monowar Hossain told TBS, "Rainfall has decreased considerably in the flood-affected areas. However, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain in the three coastal divisions—Chattogram, Barishal, and Khulna—on Sunday. This rain is expected to be brief, with only isolated showers, and should not significantly affect the flood situation."
He further noted, "Heavy rains have decreased in regions including Tripura, India, but some areas are still experiencing significant rainfall. Rainfall may continue in these areas for the next 2-3 days. Currently, there is no low pressure system, and the weather is relatively normal."
New areas flooded in Cumilla
The flood situation in Cumilla district worsened over the past 24 hours until Saturday, with new areas flooding and leaving seven lakh people stranded.
During this period, the water level of the Gumti River has remained 80 cm above its danger mark. Volunteers have struggled to distribute relief materials in the flood-affected areas due to a shortage of boats, as roads continue to be submerged.
Embankments along Sitakunda coast damaged
In the wake of a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, rough seas and flash floods caused by heavy rainfall have significantly damaged embankments along the Sitakunda coast in Chattogram.
The Water Development Board reported damage in at least four areas. Despite a reduction in rainfall, large parts of the upazila remain waterlogged.
Officials say that the combined effects of the full moon and low pressure have elevated tidal heights by six feet above normal. This surge has resulted in the damage of around four kilometres of embankments in the Sikdar Canal of Banshbaria union, Akilpur Beach, Alekdia of Kumira union, and the Ghoramra area of Sonaichari union.
Akhaura land port yet to resume activities
The flood situation in Brahmanbaria is beginning to improve, with flood waters receding in Akhaura and other areas.
Over the past 12 hours, the water level in the Haora River at Akhaura decreased by 4cm, now flowing 51cm below the danger level.
However, damaged roads and embankments have led to suspended communication and power outages in some villages.
The suspension of vehicular movement has halted commercial activities at Akhaura Land Port and disrupted visitor exchanges through the international immigration checkpost.
