After four consecutive days of torrential rainfall and hill runoff, Noakhali has experienced two days of sunny weather.
While this has resulted in waterlogging improving for most upazilas, several villages – including Hajipur, Durgapur, and Lakhinarayanpur in Begumganj upazila — have seen water levels rise.
Locals suspect that water from Feni is entering the region, causing the rise despite the lack of rain.
On Saturday morning (11 July), residents of Sadar, Subarnachar, Companiganj, and Kabirhat upazilas reported that floodwater is receding very slowly in their areas. Because of this, many places remain submerged, worsening people's sufferings.
According to the District Relief and Rehabilitation Office, heavy rain and hill runoff have flooded 57 unions in six upazilas of the district. About 192,503 people from 46,070 families are marooned.
In Kabirhat and Subarnachar upazilas, 45 houses have been partially damaged, while one house in Subarnachar has been completely destroyed.
Local residents complain that the lack of an adequate drainage system and the filling up of canals and water bodies are to blame for the urban misery.
Many hold the authorities' negligence responsible.
Meanwhile, roads in several places — including Lakhinarayanpur in Maijdi, Central Road, the District Commissioner's Office, and the District Shilpakala Academy — are still submerged. Many nearby homes are also waterlogged.
Rafiqul Islam, acting officer at the District Meteorological Office, said that in the past 24 hours, Noakhali did not see much rainfall, and there is no possibility of heavy rain for now.
However, light drizzles may occur.
Begumganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Arifur Rahman said he was unaware of the water rising in some villages.
District Relief Officer Md Masudur Rahman said that 1,850 people and 171 cattle have taken shelter in 47 centres across five upazilas.
To provide medical support to the affected people, 51 medical teams have been formed, of which 29 are already working. A report on the damage has already been sent to the ministry.
Deputy Commissioner Khandaker Istiak Ahmed said, "We are making all-out efforts to drain the water. If there is no further rain, the waterlogging situation will improve soon."
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