Hatiya (Noakhali) Correspondent 

The flood situation in Hatiya, an isolated island upazila of Noakhali, has taken a dire turn due to a week of continuous heavy rainfall, abnormal tidal pressure, and inadequate drainage system.

More than 80 villages in the upazila are now completely under water. In some places, the water has risen to the knees, in others to the waist, and in others to the floors of their homes, causing a humanitarian disaster for more than half a million residents.

The flood-affected families are facing a severe food and clean water crisis. Daily wage earners and low-income earners have been rendered completely unemployed due to the flooding.

The investigation revealed that the most damage was caused in the low-lying areas of Hatia Municipality, Sonadia, Burirchar, Harani, Chanandi, Sukhchar, Nalchira and Nijhumdwip Unions. Unpaved roads, houses, religious places of worship, markets and cropland were submerged in flood water. The normal life of the common people has come to a standstill due to waterlogging.

Children, the elderly, and the sick are the most affected.

Local farmer Saiful Islam said with concern that Aman's seedbeds, vegetable fields and fish ponds have been flooded. If water remains in the field for a long time, the crops will be completely destroyed, which will cause huge economic losses to the farmers.

A.N.M. Hasan, president of the Secondary Teachers Association and headmaster of AM High School, said, "Students are unable to come to school as the grounds and entrances of many schools are submerged under water. A permanent solution to this crisis is not possible with just temporary relief. A planned drainage system and canal excavation are the need of the hour."

Panna Begum, a resident of the municipality, recounted her suffering, saying, "There has been water inside and outside the house for six days. Cooking is not possible because the stove is submerged. I am in great distress with my small children. There is only water all around, but there is not a single drop of clean water to drink."

Tube wells have been submerged in floodwaters, causing a severe shortage of clean water. Local health workers fear that if the water does not recede quickly, water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, skin diseases, and fever could become epidemics in the area.

Meanwhile, hard-working people are losing their jobs. Daily wage laborer Sultan Ahmed said that his income and livelihood have completely stopped as he is unable to leave his house due to the prolonged waterlogging. Even if he receives some government assistance, if the situation continues like this, he and his family will be on the verge of starving.

Local residents complain that man-made causes are more responsible for this artificial waterlogging than natural disasters. The long-standing lack of renovation of government canals and drains and the construction of illegal structures on the canals have blocked the drainage path.

Municipality businessman Nasir Uddin said that shops and markets have been illegally built on the Martin Canal in the upazila headquarters for a long time. As a result, the normal flow of water in the canal has stopped. Earlier, even during heavy rains, the water would recede within a few hours, but now the water accumulates day after day. This misery will not be relieved unless the illegal structures are demolished and the canal is re-excavated.

Regarding the overall situation, Hatia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Russell Iqbal said that the administration is monitoring the situation around the clock. Distribution of dry food and government relief materials is ongoing in the affected areas. In addition, medical teams have been formed in each union and municipality to deal with health risks.

Regarding the demolition of illegal structures built on government canals, he assured, "Strict action will be taken against illegal occupants soon after discussing with higher authorities."