NN Online:
More than 30 villages in Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas of Feni district have been inundated after flood control embankments collapsed at 14 points along the Muhuri, Kuhua, and Silonia rivers.
The flooding, triggered by relentless rainfall and surging upstream water from India, has also led to widespread power outages, leaving thousands without electricity. While water levels have begun to recede in Feni town, many low-lying areas remain submerged, disrupting daily life.
Officials from the Feni Power Distribution Division and Rural Electrification Board confirmed that power was cut off in affected areas for safety reasons, as electric meters and substations were submerged.
According to the Water Development Board (WDB), the Muhuri River in Parshuram was flowing 1.57 meters above the danger level as of midnight Tuesday, rising 6.92 meters in just 15 hours. The Feni Meteorological Office reported 439 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday morning, with more heavy rain expected through Thursday.
Multiple embankment breaches have occurred:
Muhuri River: Two at Jungleghona, three at Olka, one at Shaldhar (Parshuram), and one at Uttar Sreepur (Fulgazi).
Silonia River: One at Gadanagar (Parshuram) and two at Derpara (Fulgazi).
Kuhua River: Breaks reported at Satkuchia and Berabari (Parshuram), and at Daulatpur (Fulgazi).
Zakia Akhter of Chitholia village in Parshuram described the urgency of evacuation: “Water entered our home around 8 p.m. We had to flee with essentials. We lost everything in last year’s flood—now it’s happening again.”
Rafiqul Islam of Mirzanagar blamed the Water Development Board for failing to close the Ballamukha embankment entry in time.
Parshuram UNO Arifur Rahman said authorities are monitoring the situation, although many residents remain reluctant to seek shelter. Fulgazi UNO Fahria Islam reported four embankment breaches and confirmed over 100 people had taken shelter, with food aid provided.
WDB Executive Engineer Akhtar Hossain warned that continued rain upstream in Tripura could cause further embankment failures.
District Commissioner Saiful Islam said 131 schools have been designated as shelters, with 150 people already relocated. Relief totaling Tk 6.5 lakh and 400 food packets have been distributed. A control room has been set up, and public/private institutions have been instructed to protect key documents and equipment. Over 2,500 trained volunteers are on standby.
Last year’s devastating floods across Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, and Cumilla caused major losses of life, property, and crops. With conditions worsening again, Feni residents fear a repeat disaster this year.
