- Damage worth Tk 30 thousand crore
-Over 707 km of power lines partially damaged
-55 thousand animals died in the district
-8095 houses complete destroyed, 53,433 houses partly
Beauty Rani Pal, a resident of Nowapur Pal village in Munsirhat Union of Fulgazi, Feni, along with her seven-year-old son and mother, took shelter in a neighbor's two-storey house when floodwaters started entering the house a month ago. After staying there for a while, when the water receded, she returned home. But see, her only house is no longer standing. There is no condition to stay at home. As a result, even after returning home from one's shelter, she has to take shelter in another neighbor's house. Beauty's husband Uttam Kumar Shil works for barber in Sonagazi upazila. Beauty lives in her father's house now.
Beauty said, “During the terrible flood, our only house collapsed. Now I am passing the day from other's room by blocking it somehow with bamboo. I don't have money to build a new house."
Beauty could not save any belongings in the house due to the strong flow of water. Their poultry was also washed away by the flood. She said, "I have never seen such flood water in my life. Even my father and grandfather had never seen so much water.” Even after a month of floods, Beauty has not received any government or private assistance. Now her struggle is to fix the house and make a place to live.
Rozina Akter of North Para village of that union has the same situation as her. The house was destroyed in the flood along with his other possessions. Regretfully, Rozina said, "After the house was destroyed in the flood, no government or private organization came to our side." A month has passed since the worst flood of memory in Feni. The people have not yet recovered from the terrible flood of August 21. But all the victims are trying desperately to turn around. Even after months, the broken roads have not been repaired; many homeless people are staying on the side of the road. Along with the relief activities, the government, various NGOs and voluntary organizations are coming forward to rehabilitate the flood victims. Deputy Commissioner Musammat Shahina Akhtar said, “Rehabilitation has become necessary in the post-flood period. Work has been started in full swing to overcome the damage.”
Ismail is a visually impaired person of Purba Sujapur village of Sadar Union of Sonagazi Upazila. The family of six members, including three daughters and one son, was engaged in agriculture. A terrible flood washed away all his savings. He said, he cultivated vegetables on the 30th century land with a borrow land next to the house. With the help of locals, he borrowed Tk 10,000 and planted rice seedlings along with vegetables. The flood took everything away from him. Now he spends his days thinking about how to repay the borrowed money. The stove is not burning. Ismail is getting through some days with the help of relief food and neighbors.
Abdul Quddus of Chanua Union of Feni Sadar Upazila returned from Saudi Arabia a few years ago with the dream of becoming an entrepreneur. He started the poultry business with Tk 60 lakhs from his own savings, bank loans and borrowings. The business was doing well for two years. But the terrible flood took away his dream farm. He is now destitute as he has lost all his support in the floods that started on August 21. Farmer Abdul Kuddus said that before the flood, his farm had 3,000 layers and boilers and 5,000 golden chickens. Nothing, including the buildings, could be saved from the flood.
Kamrul Alam, The general secretary of Feni District Poultry Association said that about 80 percent of the poultry farms have been completely damaged by the terrible floods in Feni. In a recent press conference, he claimed, "Poultry farmers in 5 upazilas of the district have suffered a total loss of Tk 400 crore due to severe floods for about 10 days." He said that it is not possible to re-produce poultry industry without government support. For this, a memorandum containing six demands has been given to the Chief Advisor and the Advisor of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock through the District Commissioner. Deputy Commissioner Shahina Akhtar said, “We have now started the repair work of the damaged road. We have started distribution of new seeds for rapid production of food grains. It has been asked that no NGO should take installments for the next two months. “Besides the rehabilitation of the flood victims, there is a need for assistance in food security, clean water, sanitation, medical care, and cash, among others. Apart from this, we have to emphasize on the construction of sustainable permanent dams.”
Damage worth Tk 30 thousand crore
The district administration released the damage report after the flood. According to their report, an estimated loss of Tk 30 thousand crore has been incurred in various sectors including public health, infrastructure, education, agriculture, health, communication, electricity, mobile towers, mosques and temples. Out of this total loss are Tk 16 thousand 58 crore 82 lakh 15 thousand 415 and 'partial loss' of Tk 14 thousand 49 crore 31 lakh 94 thousand 859.
According to the report, 255 half-baked houses, 8 thousand 95 kacha houses have been completely damaged. Apart from this, 2 thousand 632 semi-finished houses, 53 thousand 433 raw houses have been partially damaged. In livestock, 5721 thousand 301 chickens, 167 thousand 277 ducks, 30 thousand 650 cows, 11 thousand 487 goats, 2 thousand 164 sheep, 194 buffaloes have died. Over 707 km of power lines have been partially damaged. Among religious institutions, 54 mosques and one temple were completely damaged and 1,242 mosques and 143 temples were partially damaged. In this year's flood, the damage to rural, regional and highways in Feni has been estimated at Tk 140 crore 48 lakh 47 thousand. Similarly, 866 educational institutions and offices have been assessed as Tk 38 crore 72 lakh 500 in flood damage. According to a report, the damage to motor vehicles in the district due to floods is estimated at around Tk 61 crore. Damage to infrastructure i.e. houses, furniture, electrical equipment due to flood is estimated at Tk 692 crore and damage to small, medium and industries across the district is estimated at Tk 554 crore. However, some inconsistencies in the report have generated mixed reactions among stakeholders in various sectors.
55 thousand animals died in the district
The number of affected farms in the district is 3 thousand 22. Feni district livestock officer Dr Md Mozammel Haque said that 3 lakh 38 thousand 289 cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep were affected by flood in 6 upazilas. Out of which 55 thousand 254 animals (four legged animals) have died. The loss is about 16 crore 70 lakh rupees. Sadar Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Md Shahidul Islam Khokon said that 38 thousand 400 cows and buffaloes were affected by flood in Sadar Upazila. Out of which about 26 thousand cows and buffaloes died. However, according to the government, the loss of animal resources (four-legged and two-legged animals) from the district administration is Tk 400 crore.
Administration is giving priority to rehabilitation
A discussion meeting was held regarding the rehabilitation of the victims of the recent floods. Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Md Tofail Islam said that the government has taken necessary measures to rehabilitate flood victims. Following this, 29 bun tins have been distributed among 29 families in Sadar Upazila. Along with the government, various NGOs and voluntary organizations are working to rehabilitate the flood victims. On the other hand, District Livestock Officer Mozammel Haque said that one goat was distributed to hundreds of small farmers affected by floods in six upazilas of the district on Thursday afternoon.
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