Rising Water in Noakhali, Primary School Classes Suspended

Noakhali Correspondent

In Noakhali, 223 mm of rainfall has been recorded in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, the Water Development Board says the water level in the district has risen by 19 cm in one day due to excessive rainfall. Although the water is still below the danger level, officials from the district Water Development Board (WDB) believe that if the rain continues, the waterlogging situation may worsen.

Meanwhile, continuous heavy rain has caused severe waterlogging in Sadar, Companiganj, Kabirhat, and Subarnachar upazilas of Noakhali. The persistent downpour has deteriorated the waterlogging situation. Water has entered many residential houses. Classes in primary and secondary schools in these four upazilas have been suspended.

In Companiganj upazila of the district, areas along the banks of the Chhoto Feni River and Bamni River in Musapur, Rampur, and Char Elahi unions have been flooded due to rain and tidal water. Most of the roads in Musapur Union have gone underwater. Many houses and educational institutions have become submerged. As a result, people are suffering immensely.

On the other hand, various roads in Maijdee, the district town, have gone underwater. Residents in neighborhoods have become waterlogged. In the Noakhali municipal area, roads in Stadium Para, DC Road, Jailkhana Road area, Harinarayanpur, Lakshminarayanpur, Housing, and most other areas have water up to knee level.

Moreover, water has entered ground floors and makeshift houses in these areas. As a result, waterlogged people are facing severe hardship. Due to the ongoing monsoon, potholes have formed on most roads in the city, turning them into death traps.

It is reported that in a meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee on July 9, it was decided to close all primary schools in the district from July 10 to July 12. However, teachers must remain present at school. If necessary, considering the ongoing disaster situation, schools will be used as shelters.

Md. Halim Salehi, Executive Engineer of the Noakhali Water Development Board, said that due to continuous rainfall over the past few days, the water level has increased in the district. The ongoing rain is the main reason for the rising water. If the rain decreases, the situation will normalize. The situation will depend on Wednesday night’s rainfall.

Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Khandaker Istiaque Ahmed said that the district administration is fully prepared to deal with the waterlogging and flood situation. Instructions have been given to all Upazila Nirbahi Officers to handle the situation, and they are working in the field.