MINTU DESHWARA

Heavy rainfall and upstream hill runoff have triggered flash floods in parts of Moulvibazar, breaching embankments, inundating villages, and damaging crops and rural infrastructure.

In Kamalganj upazila, at least two villages in Adampur union were flooded after an embankment on the Lawachhara canal collapsed under pressure from continuous rain and hill runoff.

Adampur Union Parishad member Roshan Ali said around 40-50 households in Bhanubil and Chhangaon villages were affected and several village roads were damaged.

Kamalganj UNO Md Asaduzzaman said, “The administration is monitoring the situation and will take necessary steps to support the affected people.”

Residents said the flooding happened suddenly.

Neel Moni Singh, a local resident, said parts of Bhanubil and Chhangaon went underwater within hours, while brick-paved roads were cut off by the rising water.

Another resident, Mostafiz, said floodwater entered homes suddenly, damaging furniture and stored goods.

In the haor areas under Juri and Kulaura upazilas, farmers are struggling to harvest and protect Boro paddy as water levels continue to rise.

Md Khaled Bin Olid, BWDB executive engineer in Moulvibazar, said the district received about 530mm of rainfall in April against an average of 300mm.

Nearly 300mm of rain fell in the last three days of April alone, he said, terming the situation “concerning”.

Sreemangal weather office observer Anisur Rahman said 53mm of rainfall was recorded in 24 hours from 6:00am on May 2, following 34mm in the previous 24 hours.

Farmers said they are facing severe losses.

In Hakaluki Haor, farmer Sukomol Roy said he could not harvest much of his paddy in time.

“More than two bighas are still submerged. The rain is not stopping, and we are running out of options,” he said.

Across the haor region, many farmers reported similar conditions.

In some areas, farmers were seen cutting paddy from submerged fields and transporting it by boat. Others tied bundles and left them floating in water before collecting them later.

Kulaura Agriculture Officer Muhammad Jasim Uddin said 8,720 hectares were cultivated, of which about 380 hectares are already inundated.