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BHOLA, July 11, 2026 (BSS)-Nearly 20,000 people have been stranded by flood waters in the island upazila Monpura of the district after 10 consecutive days of heavy rainfall and high tides caused widespread water-logging across the region.

The prolonged inundation has left thousands of low-income families without work, triggering an acute food shortage. Residents are also facing growing concerns over access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities and increased risk of waterborne diseases.

Heavy rainfall and unusually high tides continued across the coastal belt yesterday, further worsening the situation. Knee to waist deep water has disrupted the normal movement in many areas, while businesses, educational institutions and the daily activities have come to a standstill as residents remain confined to their homes.

Day laborers, fishermen, rickshaw pullers and small traders have been among the hardest hit, as continuous rainfall has prevented them from earning a livelihood. Many families have reported being unable to prepare regular meals and have appealed for emergency supplies of dry food, rice, lentils and pure drinking water.

Field observations indicate that inadequate drainage infrastructure has significantly worsened the flooding. Water has entered homes and courtyards, forcing some families to raise earthen cooking platforms inside their houses, while others have taken shelter with neighbors or on higher ground.

Local residents identified the worst-affected areas as villages at Kolatoli Union, the Kharir Khal area, Masterhat, Latakhali and Batankhali in Sakuchia Union. Low-lying areas including Dhalchar, Kazirchar and parts of Kolatoli Char remain submerged under three to four feet of water, leaving residents unable to leave their homes even for emergencies.

Water-logging has also affected Rahmanpur village and several other settlements in South Sakuchia Union, as well as low-lying areas of Hajirhat Union, Daserhat, Char Jatin, and parts of Sonarchar village. The flooding has spread beyond the mainland to isolated char areas, significantly increasing the suffering of local communities.

Residents from Hajirhat, South Sakuchia, North Sakuchia and Monpura unions blamed the situation on inadequate drainage planning during the embankment construction. 

They alleged that several sluice gates have remained inoperative for years, while many canals have been encroached upon, preventing rainwater from draining quickly. They demanded immediate repairs to sluice gates, dredging of canals and the establishment of an effective drainage system.

The flooding has also submerged many tube wells, creating shortages of safe drinking water and raising fears of outbreaks of diarrhea, fever, skin diseases and other waterborne illnesses, particularly among the children, elderly people and pregnant women.

Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board (WDB) division-2, Md. Asaf Uddoula told BSS that continuous rainfall had caused water logging in several areas of Monpura, similar to other parts of the country. He said the authorities are continuing drainage operations despite the natural disaster.

Local residents urged the government to provide emergency relief, including food, drinking water and medical assistance, while also calling for long-term measures such as renovating sluice gates, removing illegal canal encroachments and implementing a comprehensive drainage management system.

Meanwhile, lawmaker from Bhola-4 constituency and General Secretary of the central committee of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal Md. Nurul Islam Nayan said he has been monitoring the overall situation in Monpura and Charfashion. He told BSS that a list of flood-affected families is being prepared and that a demi-official (D.O.) letter will be submitted to the Minister for Disaster Management and Relief on Sunday seeking comprehensive assistance and rehabilitation support.

Nayan said that he has already instructed BNP leaders and activists in the affected areas to stand beside flood victims, adding that no family in the char or low-lying regions would be left without assistance.

Monpura Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Abu Musa said they have been working with elected representatives and residents to address the water-logging and support affected communities. He added that assistance would be distributed after completing the list of the most vulnerable families.
Officer of the Bhola Meteorological Office Moniruzzaman told BSS that local cautionary signal no-3 remains in force for seaports due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. He said Bhola recorded 34.6 millimeters of rainfall during the last 24 hours.

Md Hasanuzzaman, Superintending Engineer of WDB division-1 said that although water levels had remained above the danger mark during the past several days because of continuous rainfall and tidal surges, both rainfall and tidal water have now started to decline. He expressed optimism that the conditions would continue to improve over the coming days.

Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shamim Rahman said sufficient food supplies and essential relief materials have been stocked for disaster-affected residents. He assured that the district administration remains on high alert to ensure that no affected family is deprived of assistance.