Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla was submerged due to continuous rainfall and flash floods coming from the upstream Tripura state of India.

Lakhs of people across 13 unions, including the municipality, were left stranded in floodwaters, leading to severe shortages of food and drinking water.

People from different parts of the country rushed to Chauddagram along with food aids to stand beside the flood-hit people but faced difficulties reaching them due to the absence of boats or speedboats.

On information, Shuvosangho volunteers from Ananda Mohan College Mymensingh unit went to the area with sufficient relief materials to help alleviate the suffering of the flood-affected people.

Earlier on 31 August, they visited the flood-hit areas and distributed relief materials among at least 300 people, braving the challenge of wading through neck-deep water. The people were seen smiling after receiving the relief materials, including dry food.

Achhia Khatun of Mitulla village said her house was submerged in neck-deep water, preventing other relief workers from reaching the area. However, Shuvosangho volunteers visited them.

“We are happy to receive the relief materials. We pray for Bashundhara Group,” she said.

Aslam Mia, also a flood victim, said he had never experienced such a severe flood, claiming that the floodwater had destroyed all his belongings.

“The floodwater has left us destitute. We are facing an acute food crisis as fewer relief workers have been able to reach us due to the severity of the flood in the area. Finally, the volunteers of Bashundhara Shuvosangho reached us with food aids,” he said.

Over one lakh people in the entire upazila are still stranded by flood, said Nafiul Hasan Mobin, president of Shuvosangho Ananda Mohan College unit.

People from all walks of life in Mymensingh extended their help with relief materials, and activists from the social welfare team delivered those to the doorsteps of at least 300 flood victims, he said.

Food assistance for the flood victims included muri, chira, jaggery, biscuits, glucose, milk, essential medicines, saline, sanitary napkins, candles, soap, mosquito coils, clean water, and water purification tablets.

Sensing the need for relief, the Shuvosangho activists also called upon affluent families in society to come forward with adequate relief materials immediately to stand beside the flood-affected people in the area from their respective positions.

Following a directive of the Shuvosangho central committee, a team of Ananda Mohan College unit, led by Mubin, went to Chauddagram upazila by truck loaded with relief materials.

Sadman Al Sakib, Nazmul Haque Titu, Rafiul Islam Tanvir, Sanaul Haque Swadhin, Rezaul Karim Rahat, Sharif Raihan, Zihad Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Akash, Sadman Sakib Mugdha, Rifat Ahmed, Sanbir Ahmem Sohan, Imrul Hasan Rifat, and Golap also accompanied the team.

BDST: 1142 HRS, SEPT 07, 2024