Feni has logged its highest rainfall in recent times following two days of relentless downpour, leaving parts of the city severely waterlogged.

The Muhuri River has crossed its danger level following heavy rains and hilly runoff, resulting in a breach of the Muhuri-Silonia embankment.

Feni Meteorological Office chief Md Mojibur Rahman said 440mm of rainfall has occurred in the district in the 24 hours leading up to 6pm on Tuesday.

Md Abul Kashem, sub-divisional engineer of the Feni Water Development Board, said the bordering rivers -- Muhuri, Kahua, and Silonia -- are all overflowing after continuous rainfall and runoff from the hills.

On Tuesday evening, the Muhuri River was flowing 113m above the danger level.

In Gadanagar of Parshuram Upazila, at least 10m of the Silonia River embankment were breached by the surging waters.

Another breach occurred at the repaired section of the Muhuri River’s Ballamukh embankment in the same Upazila, causing fresh flooding.

Kashem said the Water Development Board officials are on alert to prevent erosion, warning that upstream rainfall could cause river levels to rise further.

Meanwhile, in Fulgazi Upazila’s Sreepur Road area of Sadar Union, two shops have fallen into the Muhuri River after the road adjacent to the river collapsed.

Former chairman of the Fulgazi Sadar Union Parishad and Member Secretary of the Upazila BNP Abul Hossain said, “In 2023, a deep hole formed under the embankment due to sand extraction at that very spot. Three shops also fell into the river back then.”

THE PARTIALLY-SUBMERGED CITY

Continuous rainfall has submerged several areas of Feni city, leaving residents struggling with waist- and knee-deep water.

A prolonged power outage has worsened the situation.

A long power outage due to the rain has further increased the suffering.

Since Tuesday morning, various areas, including Shaheed Shahidullah Kaiser Road, Academy, Rampur, Pathanbari, Mizan Road, Nazir Road, College Road, Hospital Mor, Shaheen Academy, Station Road, Doctor Para and others have been submerged in water, causing extreme waterlogging.

Some of these roads were knee-deep in water, while some were waist-deep.

Office-goers and students faced major disruption throughout the day.

One resident named Atiyar Hawlader said, “The Fire Service office and police outposts are submerged in waist-deep water. We are suffering because the municipality is not cleaning the drains regularly.”

Yasin Arafat Rubel, a resident of the city’s Rampur area, said: “Rampur is submerged in knee-deep water due to continuous rain. Such waterlogging occurs whenever it rains because the canals and drains flowing through the city are not cleaned properly.”

Feni Municipality Administrator and Deputy Director of Local Government, Golam Mohammad Baten, said: “The municipality employees are working regularly to drain water from the deluged roads. The drains have been cleaned regularly for the past few months.”

Feni Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam said after receiving reports of rising river water levels and a breached embankment, he visited the site on Tuesday.

He said, “The district administration is closely monitoring both the rainfall and river levels. All necessary preparations have been made to deal with potential flooding.

Earlier, in August 2024, Feni experienced the worst flood in its history, which caused extensive damage across the district. At least 29 people died in six Upazilas, and over 1 million people were stranded in floodwaters.

Nearly all sectors of the district, including road communications, educational institutions, vehicles, homes, and businesses, were affected by the disaster.

According to official estimates by the district administration, the total damage amounted to nearly Tk 26.86 billion.