Mother and children find shelter in an auto-rickshaw on a culvert during floods
Taslima Akhter, a mother of two, has taken refuge in her auto-rickshaw parked on a culvert with her two children due to severe flooding in her home. The floodwaters reached waist-high, submerging her belongings and making her home uninhabitable. With her stove underwater and unable to cook, Taslima decided to seek higher ground. The only available elevated spot nearby was a culvert, where many residents had also brought their livestock and essential items. Her husband, Shahabuddin, had moved their CNG-powered auto-rickshaw to the culvert to protect it from the rising water. Taslima and her children, 2-year-old Jannatul Mawwa and 13-year-old Borhan Uddin, spent the night inside the auto-rickshaw on Wednesday. As of Thursday evening, Taslima was still on the culvert, eating and sleeping in the auto-rickshaw, with her daughter asleep on a seat and her son standing guard. Local residents were seen using tarpaulins on the culvert to store cattle and other goods. Many families at the culvert relied on dry food like bananas, puffed rice, and flattened rice due to the lack of cooking facilities. Residents expressed regret for not being able to prepare for the disaster. The flooding, which began on Monday, has affected several areas in Banshkhali Upazila, including Puichhari, Chhanua, Shekherkhel, Gandamara, and Shilkup, causing widespread disruption to daily life. The limited government relief has not reached everyone, leading to concerns about food scarcity. Shahabuddin described the suddenness of the flood, which forced them to seek shelter on the culvert, and expressed uncertainty about how long they would have to endure these conditions. Local resident Nazir Ahmed described the situation as the most difficult they have ever faced, citing hardship due to flash floods and struggles with food and water.
The severe flooding in Banshkhali Upazila, Bangladesh, highlights the vulnerability of low-lying communities to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. The reliance on basic infrastructure like culverts for shelter and the scarcity of timely relief underscore systemic challenges in disaster preparedness and response. The event prompts consideration of long-term adaptation strategies, including improved housing, early warning systems, and more robust social safety nets to mitigate the impact of future floods on vulnerable populations. The situation also points to the need for enhanced coordination between local authorities and aid organizations to ensure equitable distribution of resources during crises.
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