Tidal surge sweeps away fish and livestock, damages 5,000 homes

A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has triggered an unusual rise in river water levels, inundating low-lying areas in Bhola district.

According to local authorities, more than 5,000 homes have been damaged across the Upazilas of Char Fesson, Monpura, and Tazumuddin. The surge also swept away over 1,000 livestock.

Between 3,000 between 4,000 families in Char Fesson and Monpura remain waterlogged.

Meanwhile, in Lalmohan and Tazumuddin Upazilas, embankments have been flooded in two locations, allowing water to enter residential areas.

The flooding has also destroyed 234 fish enclosures and washed away fish from 2,533 ponds, causing losses estimated in the millions.

Bhola Deputy Commissioner Azad Jahan said Char Fesson and Monpura were the worst affected by the storm caused by the low-pressure system.

Initial reports suggest around 5,200 homes have been damaged, with 108 completely destroyed.

“Rice and dry food have already been allocated for the affected. The Upazila administration has begun distributing relief among victims,” he said.

In Monpura, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), or Upazila Executive Officer, Likhan Banik added: “Due to the lack of embankments in Kalatoli Union, many homes have been inundated. Areas outside the embankments have also been flooded. Around 3,400 homes have been partially damaged, although full damage reports are still pending.”

Asfaud Doula, executive engineer of Bhola Water Development Board-2, said: “Unusual tidal surges in the Meghna River caused breaches in embankments at the sluice gates in Lalmohan and Tazumuddin. The Lalmohan section has already been repaired, while repair works in Tazumuddin are underway.”

Bhola District Fisheries Officer Biswajit Kumar Deb reported that 243 fish enclosures and 2,533 ponds were affected in the flooding.

Along with that, 140 fishing trawlers and 65 fishing nets have been damaged.