At least 40 villages in the coastal region of Laxmipur have been flooded due to exceptionally high tidal water in the Meghna River.
The water level has risen by 3 to 4 foot above normal level, affecting nearly 200,000 people and causing widespread suffering.
Heavy rainfall continued across the district until midnight on Thursday (29 May), accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms.
Several trees were uprooted, and powerlines were disrupted in various unions. Due to the rising water, some residents of the coastal areas have sought refuge in the homes of relatives in higher locations, fearing further flooding even during the night.
The flooding was caused by a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal and the new moon's tidal influence, which affected the riverbank areas of Ramgati, Kamalnagar, and Raipur upazilas. Water flooded homes, roads, and other localities in 40 villages near the riverbanks. Although the tide receded by the evening, it had already caused significant distress to the residents by that time.
Affected areas include Char Romoni Mohon in Lakshmipur Sadar, North and South Charbangshi in Raipur, Char Martin, Patarirhat, Char Kalakini, Saheberhat, Char Falkon, Alexander, Char Romij, Borkheri, and Char Gazi in Ramgati. These riverbank villages have seen their homes, agricultural fields, markets, and educational institutions submerged in knee-deep water.
Several residents from Char Martin have reported that the absence of river embankments has allowed water to flood the localities easily. Although work is ongoing to construct embankments, the barriers have not yet been completed.
Zahirul Islam, a resident of Nasirganj in Kamalnagar, said, "Our house is very close to the river, and tidal water quickly enters our houses. The embankment work has not yet been finished. If it is not completed soon, the tidal flooding will continue to cause problems every monsoon."
Salaha Begum, a resident of the same area, described the situation, saying, "There is knee-deep water inside the house. We are in a lot of distress. It's hard to explain. Even on Wednesday, there was water inside the house."
Jamal Mazhi, a fisherman from Nabiganj, said, "Our house was once far from the river, but due to river erosion, the water has now come very close. For the past 8-10 years, tidal flooding has been a regular problem for us."
Kamalnagar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO), Rahat Uzzaman, reported, "I visited areas including Matbarhat, Patarirhat, Falkon, Char Martin, Char Lawrence, Torabganj, and Kalakini unions. Several areas have been flooded by the tidal water."
Nahid Uzzaman Khan, Executive Engineer of Lakshmipur Water Development Board, confirmed that the tidal water in Lakshmipur had risen by 3 to 4 feet above normal level. However, with the ebb tide, the situation has begun to return to normal.
