By Md. Zillur Rahaman

As the rains and landslides continued, the flood situation in 11 districts of the north-eastern part of the country has become dire. Due to the heavy torrential rains in the Indian state of Tripura, the water coming down from the upstream has caused seasonal flooding in these areas. As a result of the opening of the Dumbur sluice gate of the Gomti hydroelectric station in Tripura’s Gomti district, extensive flooding has occurred in large areas of Bangladesh, according to various media reports in Bangladesh.

Due to heavy rains and the opening of Dumbur sluice gates, the residents of the region have been hit by floods one after another. Millions of people in these districts are water-tight. Water has entered houses, shelters and many important structures. Electricity and mobile communication in many places in these areas are cut off due to power and mobile stations sinking. Road communication is also cut off in many areas. Flooded people run to higher ground, schools or shelters in search of safe shelter. Many people have no work, there is no food at home, there is a shortage of clean water – in a word, the people of flood-hit are spending their days in great difficulty. The government has already deployed army, navy, air force, fire service in these areas for the rescue and relief activities of the flood victims.

Meteorologists say that cold air from the west enters the skies of eastern Bangladesh. On the other hand, the low pressure coming from the Bay of Bengal came to Comilla-Noakhali border via Cox’s Bazar- Chittagong and the monsoon also becomes stronger at this time. A large amount of clouds accumulate in the sky of Comilla-Noakhali in these three groups. Once it explodes and descends on the town which is known as ‘Cloud Blast’.

This cloudburst started in the morning of August 19. After that, three consecutive days of heavy torrential rains and floods from upstream devastated the eastern part of the country. The cloudburst was spread over 50 to 70 km from Tripura in India to Comilla-Feni in Bangladesh. On August 19, 20 and 21, there was heavy rain in this area. However, the Meteorological Department says that there is no sign of the rain decreasing in the next three days. The department has predicted moderate to heavy and very heavy rains in some areas.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Center has said that there is no possibility of heavy rainfall in the southeastern, eastern and adjacent uplands of the country in the next 24 hours. At this time, the flood situation in the lower areas adjacent to rivers such as Feni, Comilla and Muhuri, Feni, Gomti, Halda in Chittagong district may improve. The water level of the Surma-Kushiara river in the north-eastern part of the country is stable, which may decrease in the next 24 hours, according to the forecast.

Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath has denied the allegation that India opened the dam of Tripura’s Dumbur hydroelectric project without prior warning, causing severe floods in Bangladesh. He said, ‘I have opened the gate of Gomti Hydro Electric Project, this information is not correct. The propaganda that is being done about the opening of Dumbur gate is nothing but false propaganda”. In line with this, a written statement by the Ministry of External Affairs of India on August 22 (Thursday) said, “Flooding has occurred due to excessive rainfall in Tripura and neighboring areas. We have noticed complaints from Bangladesh that various areas of that country have been flooded due to the release of water from Dumbur Dam in Tripura. It is factually incorrect”.

Prannoy Verma, India’s High Commissioner in Dhaka, spoke in the same tone. On Thursday (August 22) afternoon, the chief adviser of the interim government. The Indian High Commissioner went to his office ‘Jamuna’ to have a courtesy meeting with Dr. Muhammad Yunus. After the meeting, the Chief Adviser’s press secretary told journalists that the High Commissioner of India told the Chief Adviser that there has been a lot of rain in Tripura. Automatic release of water from the dam due to high water level. He said floods in Tripura are unpredictable which is causing problems for both the countries.

But Tripura’s media is telling a different story. Tripura media Borak Times reports that the authorities have opened the dam of the Dumbur Hydroelectric Project in Tripura for the first time since 1993. Tripura Revenue Secretary Brijesh Pandey told the media that due to heavy rains, severe floods have occurred in South Tripura and Gomti districts of the state. One of the dam’s three gates was opened as of 8:35 a.m. local time on Wednesday (August 21).

District Magistrate of Khowai Chandni Chandran said that two sub-divisions of the district have been severely affected as the water of Khowai River has crossed the danger level. He advised local residents to avoid fishing near rivers and stay away from landslide-prone areas. Moreover, Tripura’s Gomti District Magistrate said on his official social media account that the water level of Gomti River may rise further. In the same situation, Dumbur Dam was last opened in 1993. After the lapse of 31 years, the Indian authorities have opened the dam again.

Due to the hill slopes and continuous rains, the flood situation has worsened in other districts as the water in the rivers like Muhuri, Feni, Gomti, Halda etc. in Feni, Comilla and Chittagong districts of the region has increased. The number of people affected by the flood is several lakhs and these people are now trapped in water. They are running away from their homes in search of safe shelter. Many have taken refuge in small boats with their families. There, they are living a half-starved life. There is a shortage of food and clean water. Road connectivity is severed at many places. Government relief is very inadequate compared to the need.

Natural calamities make people face the harsh reality of life. Therefore, it is the duty of people of all classes and professions to stand beside the helpless humanity whenever there is a natural disaster such as heavy rain, storm, flood etc. Every able-bodied person should come to the service of flood-hit people in times of danger and stand by them. People in danger benefit greatly from aid money, relief materials, food, clothing, medicine, saline, clean water or basic necessities. Those who show compassion by helping the helpless, damaged, needy, poor and deprived of basic rights of food, clothing, medical care, shelter, are the true human sympathizers.

The floods have destroyed the homes, assets and livelihoods of many poor families. Many roads, shops, houses, lands and crops have been wiped out and destroyed. In this situation, it is easy to imagine how much suffering the helpless flood-hit people of the flood-affected areas have gone through. Various types of water borne diseases are spreading in the flood prone areas. They are not getting proper treatment due to lack of necessary medicines. As the water of the main rivers of the country flows over the boundary, the water connection pipes, deep tubewells and wells are severely damaged due to the strong current, and there is an acute shortage of clean drinking water everywhere. Therefore, it is essential to take measures to ensure the necessary relief activities, dry food, financial assistance and medical services for the people who are living in the flood-affected areas on an urgent basis.

When the helpless people are living in water-logged condition due to the deterioration of the flood situation in 11 districts of the country, it is the moral responsibility of the rich people of the society to stand by the side of the poor people and help them. Now it is the time to spontaneously come forward to help the flood victims with money, food, clothes, water, medicine—whatever you have. The affected flood-hit people of the flood affected areas are living in unspeakable misery, starving for lack of food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Just as the candle of sorrow does not want to end, so for flood-hit people now each day is like an eternity of miserable suffering.

In fact, those who are rich in the society, not all of them are heartless, they cannot sit idly by during the current natural calamities. For this, the rich and connected people of the country can freely help the families and relatives of the poor people affected by the flood. So wherever you are, help the flood victims according to your ability. Contact with local administration, development workers or voluntary groups during the collection, assistance and distribution of funds for flood affected people. Therefore, without looking at the relief of the government, in the service of humanity, come forward to help the flood victims with the attitude of helping and cooperating as much as possible! If everyone comes forward in unison, no matter how big the natural calamity is, it cannot be difficult to deal with it. It must be remembered that a friend in danger is a true friend.

The writer is a Banker and Columnist