Millions of people stranded in Banshkhali, road connectivity cut off

The flood situation in Banshkhali, Chittagong has deteriorated severely due to five consecutive days of heavy rain, landslides and sea water surge. Currently, millions of people from different unions of the upazila are stranded in the water. The main Chittagong-Banishkhali road submerged in the Bylchhari area at around 11 pm on Wednesday (July 8), cutting off road connectivity with Chittagong city. There is an acute shortage of food and clean water in the affected areas.
It was learned from talking to local public representatives that flood water is rising in different unions of the upazila due to continuous rain and landslides for several days. More than five hundred mud houses have already been damaged in different unions of the upazila.
Meanwhile, due to the deterioration of the flood situation, the upazila administration has issued an urgent public awareness message urging residents of low-lying and vulnerable areas to immediately go to the nearest shelters. At the same time, local public representatives have been instructed to take necessary measures using the microphone of the mosque and take the stranded people to safe shelters.
Saifi Anwar Azim, a resident of Chanua Union, said that due to heavy rains and sea tides for the past few days, most areas of Chanua Union have been submerged in water. People in these areas are living in inhumane conditions. Most of the mud houses have also collapsed. Laikat Ali, former joint convener of Chittagong South District BNP and Chairman of Gandamara Union Parishad, said that the condition of the people of Banshkhali has become deplorable due to heavy rains and landslides for the past few days.
Banshkhali Fire Service Station Officer Mizanur Rahman said that the flood situation in Banshkhali is gradually deteriorating. The rescue team has already evacuated seven members of a family from the Bylchhari area to a safe place. Rescue operations are continuing in the affected areas.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Ruhul Amin said that as soon as the relief materials reach the government, they will be delivered to the affected areas. In addition, a round-the-clock watch is being kept on the damaged embankments and flood-affected areas.