Continuous Rains Submerge Low Lying Area in Dighinala, Cut Off Dighinala Longadu Road Link.

Staff Reporter ​DIGHINALA, KHAGRACHARI: Heavy rainfall lasting several hours has once again inundated low-lying areas in Dighinala upazila, Khagrachari. The downpour, which began late Friday night, triggered a rapid rise in water levels across the Maini River and nearby mountain streams. ​By Saturday (August 29) morning, the Maini River was reported flowing above the danger mark. Consequently, several low-lying areas across Merung, Kabakhali, and Boalkhali unions have been submerged, placing homesteads and agricultural fields underwater. ​The sudden flood covered key stretches of the Dighinala-Merung road, leading to a complete shutdown of vehicular traffic. This has temporarily disrupted direct road communications between Longadu upazila in Rangamati and the rest of the country. Locals are currently relying on boats to cross the inundated sections of the highway. Meanwhile, several long-distance night coaches of Shanti Paribahan, traveling from Dhaka to Longadu, remain stranded at Merung Headquarters, leaving passengers facing severe distress. ​Repeated flash floods have sparked frustration and hardship among local residents and farmers. Subimal Chakma, a farmer from the Boalkhali area, shared his distress, stating that he had just finished planting Aman paddy seedlings on Monday, only to watch them get swept away by the mountain runoff on Saturday morning. He added that summer vegetable crops and paddy fields have been completely ruined after suffering three flood cycles within just two months. ​Subhudhi Chakma, a balloon maker at the Dighinala Weather Monitoring Station, confirmed heavy downpours in several phases since Friday night, recording 89 millimeters of rainfall by Saturday morning. ​Commenting on the overall situation, Dighinala Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Tanjil Parvez stated that seven families have already taken refuge at the Pablakhali Government Primary School shelter. Government relief allocations are currently being processed for prompt distribution. He also confirmed that vehicular movement along the Merung stretch remains suspended due to the submerged road.