Heavy monsoon rains combined with an intensified rush of water from upstream hilly regions have triggered flash floods across several upazilas in Moulvibazar.

The sudden deluge has left thousands of families stranded and caused significant riverbank erosion, prompting the district administration to open 115 emergency shelters.

The situation is most critical in Kulaura upazila, where a 50-meter breach in the Gopalichhara embankment has inundated at least 10 villages, including Bagajura, Hasanpur, and Sreepur. Residents reported that the surge of water caught them off guard, leaving little time to save furniture or protect livestock.

In Moulvibazar Sadar, the Monu River has turned aggressive. Severe erosion in Akhailkura Union has already claimed six houses, a cemetery, and a local maktab (religious school). Local officials confirmed that a significant portion of the riverbank has collapsed, forcing families to evacuate their ancestral lands overnight.

According to the Water Development Board (WDB), water levels in the Manu, Dhalai, Kushiyara, and Juri rivers have risen sharply over the last 72 hours.

The Juri River is currently flowing above the danger level.

In Kamalganj, the overflowing Laghata River has submerged low-lying areas in Munshibazar and Shamshernagar.

In Rajnagar, several internal roads in Purba Nandiura and Bhujbal villages are under water, severing communication with the upazila headquarters.

“The water increased abnormally starting at midnight,” said Kamal Ahmed, a resident of Kamalganj. “By morning, our roads and yards were completely submerged.”

The district administration has moved into a state of high alert. They have allocated 100 tonnes of rice and Tk 3.6 lakh in cash across the seven upazilas for immediate relief.

“We have instructed all Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) to monitor the situation 24/7,” stated District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Mohammad Sadu Mia. While 115 shelters are ready, many villagers remain hesitant to leave their homes and livestock despite the rising tide.

The Executive Engineer of the Moulvibazar WDB, Khaled Bin Walid, noted that while the Juri is high, other major rivers are still technically below the danger mark as of Wednesday afternoon. “The water began to recede slightly today. If the rainfall in the upstream regions stops, the situation should improve rapidly,” he said.

However, with more rain forecasted for the next 24 hours, residents along the riverbanks remain on edge, fearing further erosion and a second wave of flooding.