Highlights:
Floodwaters have started receding across affected areas in Chattogram, exposing extensive damage to homes, cropland, fish farms and infrastructure after a week of severe flooding.
The administration said its immediate priorities are continuing relief distribution, assessing the full extent of the damage, rehabilitating affected families and addressing post-flood health risks.
According to the district administration, the floods inundated 162 unions across Chattogram, damaging 15,223 houses, 387 educational institutions, around 1,320 kilometres of roads and 156 bridges and culverts.
Triggered by days of heavy rainfall and upstream hill runoff, the floods severely affected Banshkhali and Satkania upazilas, leaving around 5.50 lakh people stranded.
Shahed Hossain, a resident of Baharchhara Union in Banshkhali, told The Business Standard that although floodwaters had receded from homes, many families were still unable to cook as the ground remained too wet for traditional stoves.
"Those with gas connections are cooking at home, while many others are preparing meals at relatives' houses," he said.
The Banshkhali upazila administration said the extent of the damage is becoming clearer as floodwaters recede. Preliminary estimates suggest 4,000 to 5,000 mud and semi-permanent houses have been fully or partially damaged, though detailed assessments are still underway across all unions.
The administration said its immediate priorities are ensuring safe drinking water, sanitation and preventing waterborne diseases. It will prepare a list of affected families for rehabilitation support and rebuild damaged homes with assistance from NGOs and development partners.
Banshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Ruhul Amin told The Business Standard that the flood situation had improved significantly, with water already receding from most areas.
"We expect floodwaters to drain from almost all areas by today (15 July). Only a few isolated low-lying areas still have standing water," he said.
On relief efforts, the UNO said all 150 tonnes of rice allocated by the government were being distributed among affected people. Around 10,000 dry food packages have been distributed through the upazila administration and union parishads, while individuals, organisations and volunteer groups have delivered another 15,000 to 20,000 cooked meal packages.
In neighbouring Satkania, floodwaters have also receded significantly.
Satkania UNO Khondaker Mahmudul Hasan told The Business Standard that assessments of post-flood damage to agriculture, fisheries and roads had begun, with a report expected within the next few days.
He said relief had so far reached around 25,000 families. Although water has receded from most areas, many homes remain damaged and covered in mud.
"While there was an acute shortage of safe drinking water during the floods, we are now supplying clean water with every relief package," he said.
Earlier, prolonged heavy rainfall, hill runoff and rising water levels in the Sangu and Dolu rivers inundated nearly 80% of Banshkhali and around 70% of Satkania, causing severe damage to homes, farmland, fish enclosures, businesses and transport infrastructure.
Ctg Flood / Banshkhali / Satkania / Flood situation
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