Matamuhuri River Swells, Flooding 60 Villages in Chakaria
Matamuhuri River. Picture: Collected
Continuous rainfall and hill runoff from upstream areas are causing the water level of the Matamuhuri River to rise rapidly in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar. Although the river was flowing 5 centimeters below the danger level at the Chiringa Bridge point at around 9 am on Wednesday, the situation has deteriorated further due to incessant rainfall since morning.
At least 60 villages in the upazila have already been flooded. The Bangladesh Water Development Board fears the flood situation may worsen further if the rain continues.
According to sources at the Cox’s Bazar Water Development Board, the danger level of the Matamuhuri River at the Chiringa point is set at 5.8 meters. At 9 am on Wednesday, the water level there stood at 5.3 meters, meaning it was 5 centimeters below the danger mark. However, at the Lama town point upstream in Bandarban, the river is flowing 12 centimeters above the danger level.
Rashedul Amin, a resident of Majherphari village in Kakara union, said, “It has been raining continuously since 5 am on Wednesday. Although officially the water of the Matamuhuri has not crossed the danger level, in reality the river is flowing far above the danger mark. Water has already entered residential areas in different parts of the upazila.”
Sajjad Hossain, a resident of Kaiyarbil union, said, “Heavy rainfall and hill runoff have inundated most parts of the union. Many families have left their homes and moved to safer places. There has not been such continuous heavy rain in the past 15 years. As the river water keeps rising, panic has spread among local residents.”
The upazila administration said at least 60 villages have been flooded, including those in Baraitali, Fashiakhali, Kaiyarbil, Kakara, Lakshyarchar, Surajpur-Manikpur, Harabang, Khutakhali, Chiringa and Dulahazara unions of Chakaria, as well as Saharbil, Purba Bara Bheola, Dhemushia, Bheola Manikchar, Paschim Bheola and Badarkhali unions of Matamuhuri upazila.
Chakaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shahin Delwar said, “The water level in the Matamuhuri River is rising as rain has continued since morning. Some new areas have been inundated.”
Executive Engineer of the Cox’s Bazar Water Development Board Md. Nurul Islam said, “The vulnerable sections of the embankment along the Matamuhuri River have been identified. If the rain continues, a flood situation may develop.”
