Fresh flood fears in Feni, maritime ports asked to hoist signal no 3

Rising water levels in three rivers in Feni fuelled by heavy rainfall and upstream hill runoff from India's Tripura state have heightened fears of  flood among thousands of people in riverside areas.

Residents of Parshuram, Fulgazi and Chhagalnaiya upazilas spent a sleepless night watching vulnerable embankments, fearing that any breach could inundate their homes as has happened repeatedly in previous years.

According to the Feni District Weather Office, the district recorded 56 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours until 9 am on Thursday.

District Weather Officer Mujibur Rahman said rainfall influenced by the active monsoon is likely to continue for the next few days.

The situation has been worsened by upstream water flowing down from Tripura.

Although data from the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) showed that the water level of the Muhuri River is still below its danger level of 12.55 metres, officials said the rapid rise in water levels has increased concern among local residents.

People living along the Muhuri, Kahua and Silonia rivers said embankment breaches during the monsoon have become a recurring problem, often causing extensive damage to homes, cropland, fish enclosures and livestock.

"We are most afraid during the night. We cannot sleep because we fear the embankment may collapse at any moment and flood our homes," said Sahab Uddin, a resident of Fulgazi.

Ports to hoist cautionary signal 3

The Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No 3 as the well-marked low persists over Northwest Madhya Pradesh and adjoining area.

It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and recurve northeastwards thereafter, said a Met office bulletin.

Under its influence steep pressure gradient persists over North Bay and adjoining area. Squally weather may affect the Maritime Ports, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.