Around 30,000 people have been stranded across four unions in three upazilas of Habiganj after a section of the Khowai River embankment gave way following days of persistent rainfall and a surge of water flowing from upstream.
According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the river protection embankment failed on Thursday evening in the Kaliganj area of Laskarpur Union under Habiganj Sadar upazila.
The breach allowed large volumes of water to rush into surrounding communities, flooding villages in the Laskarpur and Poil unions of Sadar upazila, Lamatashi Union in Bahubal, and Makrampur Union in Baniachang.
As floodwater spread rapidly, many residents were forced to leave their homes, taking livestock, household belongings and other essentials in search of safer ground.
In several locations, water rose to waist height inside residential areas, making daily life increasingly difficult, particularly for children, older people and vulnerable families.
The situation has also worsened in Baniachang, where water from the Khowai River has overtopped the Radhapur embankment and entered nearby haor areas.
In Chunarughat upazila, rising river levels have intensified erosion near Nalmukh Bazar, threatening at least 15 Harijan community families living in Rabidas Para.
Local authorities said several schools and government facilities are also at risk if the erosion continues.
Residents are also closely monitoring the town protection embankment at Machulia Point, which is considered vulnerable as river levels continue to rise. Local people have been using bamboo to reinforce weak sections of the embankment while expressing concern that stronger preventive measures were not taken earlier.
Floodwater has already entered parts of Habiganj town, including Kamrapur and Danialpur, while sections of the Habiganj–Mirpur road have gone underwater, disrupting traffic.
Officials fear that further rises in water levels could sever road links between Habiganj Sadar, Mirpur and surrounding areas.
Senior district officials, including Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Mainul Haque and Habiganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdullah-Abu-Zaher, visited affected communities to assess the damage and discuss the response with local representatives.
According to the BWDB, the Khowai River was flowing 192 centimetres above the danger level at the Chunarughat Balla monitoring point on Thursday. Water levels were also recorded at 113 centimetres above the danger mark at Shayestaganj and 140 centimetres above the danger level at Machulia. Officials added that parts of the Kushiyara River had also exceeded danger levels, raising concerns that flooding could spread further if rainfall continues.
Abdullah-Abu-Zaher said, "The administration was monitoring the flood situation around the clock and preparing relief and rescue operations where required.”
The district administration has opened a control room to coordinate emergency activities.
Officials said, "Emergency supplies currently include Tk 500,000 in relief funding, 100 tonnes of rice and 1,820 packets of dry food for distribution among affected families.”
Local residents have urged the authorities to strengthen embankments, address ongoing river erosion and ensure timely relief as concerns grow over further flooding in the coming days.
