Commodities scarce in Cumilla markets, flood victims in south not receiving enough relief
New areas are being flooded due to the collapse of the Gumti dam
People in Cumilla’s Burichang are evacuating their homes for higher grounds as floodwaters rise. The devastating flood has affected millions of lives across 11 districts and displaced people across southeastern Bangladesh, compelling them to seek shelter on higher ground. Photo: TBS
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People in Cumilla’s Burichang are evacuating their homes for higher grounds as floodwaters rise. The devastating flood has affected millions of lives across 11 districts and displaced people across southeastern Bangladesh, compelling them to seek shelter on higher ground. Photo: TBS
As most of the markets in low-lying areas of Cumilla remain underwater, essential goods in drier places are running out.
In the markets situated on higher grounds, the demand for dry food has increased over the past few days, causing a scarcity of essentials such as rice, lentils, potatoes, oil, onions, and garlic.
Moreover, emergency medicines are scarce amid floods, forcing volunteers and residents to collect food at high prices in distant markets.
“There is no food in any market. I am collecting dry food from the Laksam market, which is far away. The prices are also high there,” said Arif Hossain, a resident of Korpatti village in Cumilla’s Nangalkot upazila.
“Relief is not reaching many remote areas in Nangalkot. Expatriates and local professionals are helping. People have been stranded by water for a week. It’s impossible to continue like this with no products in the market,” he added.
Jabed Hossain from Aitpara village of the same upazila said, “People in areas close to the city are receiving sufficient relief. Being in a remote area, we are not getting help from outside. We need a lot more relief.”
Abul Bashar from Chauddagram upazila’s Basuara village, which is adjacent to Feni and is the worst-affected area in Cumilla in flood, said 80% of his village is still underwater.
“It is impossible to reach many villages adjacent to the northern part of Feni. It’s hard to understand how their lives are going on. Their markets are also underwater. Even with money, they are helpless today,” he added.
According to the latest updates, there has been a slight improvement in the flood situation in Laksam, Nangalkot, Chauddagram, and Monohargonj in Cumilla.
The water level has decreased by about 5 centimetres in these areas.
Meanwhile, new areas are being flooded due to the collapse of the Gumti dam. After Burichong, most regions of Brahmanpara upazila are submerged.
Gumti’s water has also started to enter the Debidwar upazila.
“There was water logging due to rainwater before. But now it has turned into a flood due to the water of Gumti entering localities. Fish farms worth millions are being washed away,” said Mohammad Sharif from Debidwar’s Rasulpur village.
Although there was no rain for three days, it started raining again in Cumilla from 2pm today. Many fear the crisis could intensify if the rain increases.
