Feni Floods Worsen: Victims Demand Urgent Relief as More Areas Are Affected

Flooding has struck many villages in Bangladesh, especially along the coast, as heavy rain continues to fall. Residents in areas like Feni and Noakhali are facing serious challenges, with rising water levels causing danger and disruption.

People in shelter centers report that they haven’t yet received any aid, even as the number of displaced families grows. Razwanur Rahman, director general of the Department of Disaster Management, noted that several coastal districts, including Barishal and Patuakhali, are particularly affected.

In Feni, over 2,200 families are sheltering in various centers. Authorities have provided some relief, sending 120 tonnes of rice and 1,200 packets of dry food to help those in need. Meteorologist Md Bazlur Rashid mentioned that while rain intensity is decreasing, conditions remain difficult, with 21 millimeters recorded in just six hours on Thursday.

Concerns about river levels are also rising. A report from the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre indicated that the Selonia River’s water level is above the danger threshold. However, officials expect improvements in the situation near the Muhuri and Selonia rivers over the next few days.

During a recent meeting regarding the flooding, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasized the importance of finalizing projects to improve flood defenses. He highlighted the need for constructing dams and restoring drainage systems in affected areas. The World Bank is supporting repairs to damaged infrastructure aimed at disaster prevention.

In Feni, new flooding in Chhagalnaiya and Sadar upazilas has left many families stranded. Local officials have expressed their commitment to managing the crisis, yet residents like Rokhsana Akter are feeling the impact of slow response times for aid. At the same time, rescue operations led by the Bangladesh Army are providing essential support, distributing food to those in hardship.

Further, in Khagrachari, continuous rain raises fears of landslides, particularly in nine upazilas. Damage to critical roads has complicated access to these areas. Local authorities are encouraging people to remain alert and seek safety where necessary.

Educational institutions in Noakhali are also closed until Saturday due to the ongoing flood situation, reflecting how widespread the impact of these weather events has been. As this crisis unfolds, it highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure and responsiveness in the face of natural disasters.

In this context, data from the World Bank suggests that improving flood resilience can significantly reduce economic losses, ranging from infrastructure damage to loss of livelihoods. Investing in early warning systems and better drainage can save communities from similar fates in the future.

You can find more detailed insights into disaster response and recovery on reputable sites like the [World Bank](https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/disasterriskmanagement) and the [Bangladesh Meteorological Department](http://www.bmd.gov.bd).

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