Continuous rainfall and strong winds triggered by a low-pressure system have disrupted life in the coastal district of Noakhali, with the Bay of Bengal near Hatia turning increasingly rough.
As a result, all water transport to and from Hatia was suspended from 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday by local authorities.
According to the regional weather office, Noakhali recorded 67 mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours up to 9 a.m. Thursday.
A well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and its surrounding regions has intensified into a depression and is expected to strengthen further as it moves northward.
This has caused squally winds across the northern Bay, coastal areas, and sea ports. A local warning signal number 3 has been issued, and all fishing boats and trawlers in the region have been instructed to seek shelter and remain there until further notice.
Rising tides caused by the system have led to severe flooding in Nijhum Dwip, where water levels rose 5 to 6 feet above normal in surrounding rivers since Wednesday morning.
All nine wards of the island are now waterlogged, with many homes inundated, forcing residents into a crisis situation.
Local residents report that tidal water in the Meghna River has risen by 4 to 5 feet above the usual level. Shops near riverbanks and ferry points had to be relocated, and some were washed away due to the tidal surge.
The absence of protective embankments around Nijhum Dwip has worsened the flooding, submerging large areas.
The suspension of water transport has cut off communication between Hatia and the mainland, preventing people from traveling to or from Noakhali.
