Flooding in Bangladesh: Feni faces humanitarian crisis after dam overflow.

Flooding in Bangladesh has left millions of people stranded and in precarious situations, with the city of Feni emerging as the epicenter of this crisis. Since last Wednesday, a torrent of water has inundated 11 districts, affecting a population of nearly 1.5 million residents, who are now forced to wade through muddy waters reaching up to their chests in search of safe shelter. The scene is heartbreaking: entire families holding their belongings above their heads, trying to keep them dry while navigating through the chaos. The residents of Feni, with a deep connection to their rivers and waterways, have found this flooding to be a source of frustration and pain. As the waters engulf their homes, many blame their neighbor, India, for the devastation they have suffered. The reason for this accusation lies in the release of water from the Dumbur Dam, located in the Indian state of Tripura, which residents claim was done without any warning. "They opened the gate, but no information was given," laments Shoriful Islam, an IT worker who has returned to his hometown to assist in rescue efforts. Despite Indian authorities denying any wrongdoing, tensions between the two countries have escalated. India argued that the dam overflow was a natural phenomenon caused by heavy rains, although it also admitted that a communication failure prevented the usual warnings from being issued to residents downstream. "India used a weapon of water," expressed Islam, reflecting the deep resentment many feel towards the neighboring country during this crisis. The situation in Feni is desperate. Rescue teams, including members of the Army and Navy, have been mobilized to help those trapped. However, access to the flooded areas is a monumental challenge. Main roads are submerged, and the only available means of transportation is by boat. With no electricity and communications down, delivering aid to those who need it most becomes even more complicated. Many volunteers have arrived from Dhaka and other parts of the country to join the rescue efforts, some hoping to find their loved ones. The anguish is palpable among those who have been unable to contact their family members. Abdus Salam, a 35-year-old English teacher, has lost contact with 12 relatives stranded in a nearby rural area. "I don't know if they are alive," he confesses, tears in his eyes. Salam's desperation represents the anguish of thousands facing uncertainty about the survival of their loved ones. The magnitude of the flooding has affected nearly 5 million people nationwide, and at least 18 deaths have been confirmed, though the toll is feared to rise as rescue efforts continue and the extent of the tragedy is assessed. In neighboring India, the situation is also grave, with at least 26 people dead and more than 64,000 displaced in shelter camps in the Tripura region. The political context also adds a complicated dimension to the crisis. The recent ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid a national protest movement has left a power vacuum and sparked speculation about potential political reprisals. Some citizens believe that India's decision to open the dam may be influenced by instability in Bangladesh, creating an atmosphere of distrust and resentment. As rescue efforts continue, criticism of the authorities and the lack of communication are intensifying. The situation has revealed not only vulnerabilities to natural disasters but also the need for greater cooperation between Bangladesh and India to mitigate the impact of future climatic events. The Indian government, for its part, has defended its position, stating that the overflow of shared basins should be a matter of collaboration rather than accusations. Meanwhile, residents of Feni continue to grapple with the devastation. Those who manage to leave their homes, whether on foot or by boat, face the risk of waterborne diseases and other dangers. The community is coming together in a desperate effort to survive, as the darkness of night looms over the flooded city. Hope, though faint, remains: the hope that the waters will recede and that aid will finally reach those in urgent need. Amid suffering and adversity, the resilience of the Bangladeshi people is once again being tested. The struggle for survival continues, and the demand for humanitarian assistance is intensifying. The international community is watching closely, hoping that the tragedy in Feni does not become a mere forgotten memory, but a call to action and cooperation in a world increasingly vulnerable to the whims of climate and politics.