Report by Greentime Observation Team
Feni, Bangladesh – Despite some respite in rainfall, there has been no significant improvement in the flood situation in Feni district, according to a report by Greentime’s observation team. While water levels in Feni city have slightly receded, rural areas and regions surrounding the city remain submerged. Rescue teams have reported that hundreds of thousands of people are still stranded, with little to no change in the water levels in nearby villages.
Information regarding the flood situation near the Bangladesh border is still not available at this time.
Relief Efforts and Challenges
Authorities in Feni city have ensured that there are sufficient food supplies and manpower available for relief operations. However, due to a few isolated accidents and the disappearance of several volunteers, the army and other law enforcement agencies have restricted access to non-military rescuers and volunteers. Only trained military and law enforcement rescue teams are currently being allowed into the flood-affected zones. Helicopter support has also been observed aiding in the rescue efforts.
Unfortunately, due to a shortage of boats and trained personnel, relief supplies such as food and drinking water have not yet reached many flood victims. The situation in some areas is becoming dire as these supplies remain out of reach.
Communication and Power Outages
Communication across Feni district remains largely cut off, with network connectivity still down in most areas. Large portions of Feni and nearby districts, including Noakhali, Comilla, Lakshmipur, Chittagong, Khagrachari, and Rangamati, are still without electricity, complicating relief operations further.
In Feni city, there have been reports of criminal activities amidst the chaos caused by the floods. This has raised concerns about safety, particularly in the more isolated parts of the district.
Health and Infrastructure Impact
The healthcare and transportation systems in Feni have completely collapsed. While some temporary health camps have been set up, they have not yet become fully operational due to poor planning and lack of coordination. The district is also experiencing an acute shortage of boats, which is severely hampering rescue and relief efforts.
Official Advisories
Authorities are urging people from Dhaka and other regions to avoid traveling to Feni unless they possess the necessary expertise and equipment to assist in rescue operations. The situation remains critical, and untrained individuals are advised to stay away to avoid further complicating the rescue efforts.
The authorities continue to work tirelessly, but the challenges posed by the ongoing flood crisis remain significant.