TL;DR
- Flooding in Akhaura is caused by water from India’s hill streams.
- Naydil and Devagram bridges have collapsed, closing the Akhaura-Kasba road.
- Approximately 5,000 people are stranded, with 36 villages submerged.
- Local residents have taken refuge in government schools and with relatives.
In the Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh, the Akhaura region is grappling with significant disruptions due to severe flooding caused by the rapid influx of water from India’s hill streams. The situation has become critical as the floodwaters, which began to recede, have left behind a trail of destruction, including the collapse of the Naydil and Devagram bridges, leading to the closure of the Akhaura-Kasba road for traffic.
Local authorities have reported that the water is entering from India through the Jazira, Kata, and Kalandi canals, which flow along the Howrah River and Akhaura immigration area. This has been exacerbated by the heavy rains and landslides from the Indian state of Tripura, causing the embankments of the Howrah River to break in multiple places. As a result, 36 villages across seven unions in Akhaura and Kasba upazilas have been submerged, leaving approximately 5,000 people stranded.
Akhaura Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Ghazala Parveen Ruhi confirmed to Prothom Alo that although water levels are starting to decrease, the damage is extensive. She stated, “On Thursday around 12:30 pm, one side of the Nayadil Bridge collapsed. Traffic on the bridge is currently closed.” The collapse of the bridge has also led to the breaking of an electricity pole and a kitchen in the Nayadil area, further complicating the situation.
The Executive Engineer of the Brahmanbaria Office of the Water Development Board, Manjur Rahman, provided insights into the water levels, noting that the Howrah River at the Gangasagar point in Akhaura was flowing at a height of 5.70 meters on Friday morning, which is 35 centimeters below the danger level. However, he warned that the water levels in the Meghna River, including the Titas, are on the rise.
The Akhaura-Agartala road, a crucial route for immigration traffic in Brahmanbaria, has been submerged, leading to the suspension of passenger crossings through Akhaura immigration. Local residents have indicated that the flood situation heavily depends on the weather conditions in Agartala, India. Although there was no rainfall from Thursday to Friday morning, the cloudy skies suggest that further rain could worsen the flood situation.
In response to the crisis, many affected individuals have sought refuge in 11 government primary schools and with relatives. Approximately 300 people have taken shelter in these temporary accommodations. The community remains on high alert, with the potential for further rain posing an ongoing threat to the already vulnerable infrastructure and population.
