The situation in the Khowai River has taken a dangerous turn following days of continuous heavy rain and hill runoff from upstream.
The river’s protective embankment broke, flooding the Kaligonj area under Laskarpur Union in Habiganj Sadar Upazila on Thursday evening.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Khowai River embankment broke in the Radhapur area of Bania Chong Upazila, sending water surging into the Haor with great force.
At least 15 villages have been flooded following the embankment breaches, said Sayedur Rahman, executive engineer of the Habiganj Water Development Board.
The strong currents submerged homes, roads and croplands in low-lying areas, plunging thousands of people into severe distress.
Flood-affected residents are rushing to safer locations with their livestock and belongings.
Rahman says water is flowing 192cm above the danger level at the Chunarughat Balla point of the Khowai River, 113cm above the level at the Shaistaganj point, and 140cm above at the Machulia point.
Water has also crossed the danger level at several points of the Kushiyara River.
Meanwhile, riverbank erosion has intensified again near Nalmukh Bazar in Chunarughat Upazila.
The erosion is spreading rapidly as water levels continue to rise, putting at least 15 families of the Harijan community’s Robidas Para at severe risk.
Several important educational institutions and government structures are also under threat.
The town-protection embankment at the Machulia point on the Khowai River near Habiganj town is also at risk.
Local residents are working around the clock to protect the embankment, trying to reinforce it temporarily with bamboo.
Locals allege the Water Development Board’s negligence in taking timely measures has heightened the risk of erosion.
Witnesses say that after part of the embankment broke at Kaligonj on Thursday evening, causing water to rush rapidly into 15 villages, including Nowabad, Char Hamua, Sughar, Bongaon, Notun Bazar, Balihata, Kaligonj, Jadabpur, Bishnurampur, Dakshinchar, Ramnagar, Dhopakhal and part of Bandakshin, all under Habiganj Sadar Upazila. Many homes in these areas have filled with waist-deep water.
As the situation turned severe, women, men, children and elderly people began moving to safer locations with livestock, essential furniture, clothes and valuables.
Some are taking shelter at relatives’ homes, while others have taken up positions at local shelters and educational institutions.
Water has also entered several areas in the town, including Kamrapur and Danialpur.
On being informed, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Moinul Islam, Habiganj administrator (UNO) Abdullah Abu Zaher, and other senior administration officials visited the site the same night.
They toured the affected areas and discussed the situation with local public representatives.
Later, an announcement was made through a local madrasa’s loudspeaker urging flood-affected residents to move quickly to shelters and safer locations, with special emphasis on evacuating children, women, the elderly, and the sick.
As the water rose further around 11pm, several stretches of the Habiganj-Mirpur road were inundated, severely disrupting vehicle movement.
There are fears the road could become completely impassable if water levels rise further, raising concerns of Habiganj Sadar Upazila being cut off from Mirpur and the surrounding areas.
Local residents have demanded urgent measures to prevent further erosion, adequate relief for affected families, and safe shelter arrangements.
With water levels continuing to rise, anxiety and fear have gripped the entire area over fresh flooding in new locations, raising fears of a broader flood.
Local administration and Water Development Board officials are monitoring the situation.
“The flood situation is being monitored around the clock, and preparations have been made to carry out necessary relief and rescue operations.
Flood-affected people have been asked to go to shelters,” said Habiganj Sadar UNO Abdullah.
