Flood-affected people have taken shelter at Ali Azam High School in Fulgazi’s Munshirhat, Feni. They have not received any government or non-government assistance from yesterday until today. *Photo taken at noon today: Prothom Alo.*
The flood situation in Feni has improved due to reduced rainfall, with water levels in rivers beginning to recede. Many areas in the district have seen water levels drop, though some new areas have been inundated. Despite the improving conditions, shelters are seeing an increasing number of affected people, leading to shortages of dry food and potable water.
According to the Feni Weather Office, 50.5 millimeters of rainfall was recorded from Wednesday noon to Thursday noon, lower than the previous two days. However, the Feni-Parshuram regional road remains submerged, halting all vehicle movement for the third consecutive day, disrupting road connectivity between Feni town and Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas.
Mohammad Mozibur Rahman, the officer-in-charge (senior observer) of the Feni Weather Office, told *Prothom Alo* that the reduced rainfall compared to the last two days may lead to further improvement in the situation.
As of noon today, the water level in the Muhuri River was flowing below the danger mark of 12.55 centimeters, recorded at 10.55 centimeters. Mohammad Abul Kashem, sub-divisional engineer of the Feni Water Development Board, told *Prothom Alo* that the absence of heavy rainfall and reduced water flow from upstream has lowered the river’s water level.
According to the district administration, over the past three days, breaches in the embankments of the Muhuri, Kahua, and Silonia rivers at 20 locations in Fulgazi and Parshuram have flooded 27 villages in these two upazilas. Of these, 12 breaches occurred in Parshuram and eight in Fulgazi. With no heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours, water levels in these rivers have started to recede. However, new areas in Chhagalnaiya and Feni Sadar upazilas have been inundated. To prevent accidents, 31,000 customers in Parshuram and Fulgazi were without electricity until last night, though power restoration began this morning.
Army teams have been deployed to rescue flood-affected people in Fulgazi’s Uttar Shripur village. *Photo taken this morning: Prothom Alo.*
While the district administration reported flooding in 27 villages across two upazilas, local residents claim over 50 villages across four upazilas—Fulgazi, Parshuram, Feni Sadar, and Chhagalnaiya—have been affected. Around 50,000 people remain stranded. According to Ismail Hossain, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), approximately 19,560 people have been affected, with 5,776 individuals from 1,593 families staying in 48 shelters across three upazilas as of last night. The number of people at shelters continues to grow.
**Food Shortages at Shelters**
On-site observations this morning revealed shortages of dry food and drinking water at shelters, with most lacking proper sanitation facilities. At Ali Azam High School and the adjacent madrasa in Fulgazi, over 100 families have taken shelter but have received no assistance so far. Many have not eaten since last night, with some cooking meals on makeshift stoves within the school premises.
Roksana Akter, a resident of Uttar Shripur village, said, “The water reached neck-deep at home. Thirteen of us came to the shelter with just the clothes we’re wearing. Around 40 people are cramped in one room on the second floor of a primary school. The elderly and children are suffering the most.”
Swapna Akter, a housewife from the same village, added, “I came to the shelter with my two young children and five family members on Wednesday noon, but we haven’t received any government or non-government aid until today noon.”
District Administrator Saiful Islam stated, “Relief is being distributed by upazila administrations. If any area hasn’t received aid, it will be sent there.”
When asked about complaints of food shortages at shelters, Fulgazi Upazila Executive Officer Fahria Islam did not provide a statement but told the correspondent she would speak later.
**Army and BGB Deployed for Rescue**
Since noon today, multiple army teams have begun rescue operations in flood-affected villages in Fulgazi. A 139-member company from the Army’s 33 Infantry Division’s Duranta 15 Support Battalion has started rescue and relief efforts, bringing over 1,000 packets of dry food to Fulgazi.
Major Mohammad Rashedul Hasan, leading the army company, said, “Rescue and relief operations began formally this afternoon. The army is using 10 speedboats and several small dinghies to rescue stranded people in remote areas. We will continue to assist as long as needed.”
Meanwhile, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been distributing cooked food to stranded people since last night and continued in various parts of Fulgazi this morning.
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