• Many families stranded by flooding
• Upazila administration opens 28 shelters

TDS Desk:

Continuous heavy rainfall over the past four days has raised fears of landslides in Ruma upazila of Bandarban, also leaving many families stranded by flooding.

Ruma upazila administration has opened 28 shelters across four unions to provide refuge for those affected by the landslides and flooding along the Sangu River, as shared during a disaster management committee meeting on Thursday.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Atikur Rahman said that a “help desk” has been set up to provide emergency information and services to the public during this disaster period.

Additionally, continuous announcements are being made to urge residents at the foot of the hills to move to safer locations, he added.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Mohammad Kazi Zubair Jewel said that farmers along the Sangu River have not planted many vegetables in the fields this season.

Similarly, farmers near Rumakhal, Paindu Khal, and Polly Khal have not yet reported significant damage from this flood.

However, data on the damage is still being collected.

Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Mohammad Mizanur Rahman reported that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the heavy rainfall has caused damage to any jhum (shifting cultivation) areas in the hills.

Among those affected are approximately 200 people from five areas along Rumakhal, around 250 people from seven areas along Polly Khal, about 700 people from 15 areas along Chema Khal, and 200 people from six areas along Paindu Khal.

These areas have been completely cut off from Ruma town due to rising water levels.

Meanwhile, Chathoypru Marma, a resident of Ganga Para in Paindu Union said the heavy rain has submerged vegetable fields cultivated along the Sangu River, causing financial losses for the farmers.