Flood damages 65% of rural roads in Chattogram

Around 65% of rural roadways in the Chattogram district have become dilapidated due to damage caused by the recent floods, inflicting distress upon the local people. 

One such critical route – the Gatiadanga-Deodighi-Mirzakhil road – a vital part of the Chattogram Satkania Burichchar circular road, is now in a deplorable state. This 8.20-kilometer road has become nearly unusable due to recent flooding.

Another affected road is the 20-kilometre Vhomang hat-Monglarmokh road, connecting Chandanish and Rangunia upazilas. Around 15 kilometres of this road become impassable due to flooding.

According to the Local Government Engineering Department's (LGED) Chattogram office, a staggering 8,641 km of rural roads in Chattogram's 14 upazilas have been severely impacted by continuous heavy rains and floods. Among them, 362 km suffered severe damage, while 156 km were completely severed, incurring an estimated cost of Tk32.80 crore.

In this context, Satkania upazila bore the highest brunt with 67 km of severely affected roads, followed by Hathazari (35 km), Lohagara (24 km), Patia (13 km), Banshkhali (59 km), Anwara (6 km), Rangunia (62 km), Chandanaish (8 km), Mirsarai (23 km), Sitakunda (13 km), Raojan (10 km), and Fatikchhari (1 km) of badly damaged roads.

Additionally, damaged bridge culverts added to the destruction, with Lohagara dealing with 8 damaged structures, and Hathazari, Boalkhali, and Chandnaish facing 1 to 3 damaged culverts each. 

Satkania Upazila Chairman Md Motaleb revealed to The Business Standard (TBS) that every road in the upazila had been affected. Around 14 roads in the area suffered severe damage due to the high floodwaters and strong currents.

Local residents are grappling with hardships in the aftermath of the floods. Some have taken it upon themselves to start road repairs. Unless swift and comprehensive repairs are undertaken, the potential for increased suffering remains high.

Suman Talukdar, senior assistant engineer at LGED Chattogram Office, highlighted the unprecedented nature of the destruction, attributing it to landslides in various areas and prolonged inundation of rural roads for over 10 days. A drone survey is underway to assess flood-induced road damage accurately. 

250 km of highways damaged

Over 250 km of national and regional highways, including Chattogram-Cox's Bazar and Dhaka-Chattogram highways, have suffered damage due to floods and landslides. In the north Chattogram area, 31 out of 41 national, regional, and district highways have been damaged, spanning about 114 km in total. Around Tk11 crore is required for immediate repairs and Tk29 crore for long-term reconstruction.

Floods have created potholes and damaged pavements, and retaining walls along these roads. The Roads and Highways Department is working to maintain traffic flow temporarily, with major repairs anticipated to take 20-30 days.

In another stretch, approximately 57 km of the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway have been damaged—25 km in Chattogram and 32 km in Cox's Bazar. Assessing the extent of the destruction remains challenging, but around 25 km of roads have suffered severe damage.

Cox's Bazar reports a total of 70 km of damaged roads, including 32 km of national highways, 13 km of regional roads, and 25 km of district-level routes. This damage has led to a financial loss of Tk12 crore.

In Chattogram City, persistent rain and tidal water destroyed around 50 km of streets, along with two km of footpaths and drains. Reconstructing these thoroughfares, footpaths, and drains is projected to require at least Tk60 crore.

Around 28,070 houses, 300 educational institutions affected 

Approximately 28,070 houses and 300 educational institutions have been affected by the recent flood in Chattogram District. The Disaster and Relief Wing of Chattogram District Administration reports that of these houses, 18,885 were partially damaged and 9,185 were completely destroyed. 

Of those, in Satkania, 9,185 houses were completely destroyed and 2,479 were partially damaged. Chandnaish saw 6,379 houses completely damaged and 4,120 partially damaged, while Lohagara experienced 2,000 completely destroyed houses and 2,500 partially damaged ones. 

District Education Officer Uttam Khisa informed TBS that over 300 educational institutions have been harmed in Chattogram, with Satkania Upazila's institutions being the hardest hit, facing severe damage. Despite the receding floodwaters, educational activities remain halted.