The roads in the remote rural areas of Chandina upazila of Comilla are now in an extremely bad condition. It has been seen after visiting various unions in the upazila that most of the rural roads have now become impassable. In particular, this disaster has become more severe due to the illegal digging of commercial fish farms or ponds right next to the rural roads. The water waves and continuous landslides of these farms, which have been built on the side of the road without paying attention to government and local instructions, are completely collapsing the rural infrastructure. As a result, lakhs of rural people of the upazila are constantly suffering.On the spot, it can be seen that the pitch and bricks of the brick roads and asphalt roads built a few years ago have collapsed, creating large holes. In many places, the existence of the roads has disappeared. The main reason for this is that huge fish projects have been built along the roads without any kind of safety dam or guide wall. During the monsoon season or with a little rain, the overflowing water from the farms and the waves of water directly hit the roads. As a result, the soil under the paved roads moves and the roads collapse into the belly of the farms. The bricks of the brick-lined roads have come loose and are submerged in the pond water. Even in the dry season, the roads are always damp and soft due to the seepage of water from these farms, as a result of which the roads give way even when heavy or medium vehicles pass through.The condition of the rural dirt roads is worse than the paved and asphalt roads. Most of the dirt roads in Chandina are now unfit for walking. Since there are fish farms on both sides of the road, even with a little rain, the soil of the unpaved road is collapsing into the farm and the entire road has turned into a narrow alley. In some places, mud is forming knee-deep in mud. As a result, vans, rickshaws or any vehicle carrying agricultural products are unable to move on these roads.The local common people, students and farmers are the most affected by this communication disaster. A large part of Chandina upazila is dependent on agriculture. Due to this poor condition of the rural roads, farmers are unable to transport their produce, especially paddy and winter vegetables, to the local market or upazila headquarters on time. They have to pay double to triple the transportation cost to pick the crop from the field and bring it to the main road, which is like eating the profit of the farmers. Again, in some areas, the road is so broken that no vehicle wants to enter the village.The picture of the suffering of the students is even more pitiful. Every day, students of schools, colleges and madrasas have to cross broken and muddy roads to go to educational institutions. Many students inadvertently fall into mud or farm water, soaking their books and notebooks, and even suffer minor accidents. Pregnant mothers and patients in the emergency department are in the most serious crisis. Due to the broken roads, ambulances or CNG-powered autorickshaws cannot enter the village in an emergency. As a result, the patient has to walk miles and miles to the main road on a stretcher or on his lap. This delay in getting medical care often makes the patient's condition even more critical.Local residents complain that since the owners of the fish farms are influential, no one dares to speak out against them. Although digging ponds on government land or along the road boundary is punishable by law, no rules are being followed. In order to make rural roads sustainable, it is necessary to strictly enforce the legal obligation to maintain a certain distance while setting up fish farms along the road. At the same time, the people of Chandina have demanded immediate repairs by constructing guide walls or protective embankments along the roads that have already been damaged. It is the demand of the hour for the local administration and public representatives to take quick and effective steps to keep the rural economy and public life running.

At least 54 people have died and 39 others have been injured as floods, flash floods from upstream, and landslides continue to wreak havoc across several districts in Bangladesh, according to the latest situation report released by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.The report said that 609,411 people from 155,311 families have been affected by the disaster in seven districts, while thousands remain stranded as floodwaters continue to inundate homes and infrastructure.The floods have impacted Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj, submerging 58 upazilas, 334 unions, and 12 municipalities.According to the ministry, 54 people have lost their lives in flood-related incidents, while 39 others have been injured.Cox's Bazar recorded the highest death toll with 31 fatalities, followed by Chattogram (13), Bandarban (6), Rangamati (3), and Moulvibazar (1).Among the injured, 24 are from Cox's Bazar, 12 from Chattogram, two from Bandarban, and one from Khagrachhari, the report added.To support those affected, the government has opened 1,042 emergency shelters across the flood-hit districts. As of the latest update, 38,422 people have taken refuge in these shelters.Authorities are continuing rescue and relief operations while monitoring the evolving flood situation. The government has urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious and follow official safety instructions as heavy rainfall and upstream water flow may continue to pose risks.

Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, MP, left Dhaka for Qatar today on a visit.He departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:20 am.During the visit, the Speaker is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.On behalf of Bangladesh Prime Minister, he will also convey condolences and express sympathy over the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, widely regarded as the architect of modern Qatar.The Speaker is expected to return home on July 16 after concluding his Qatar visit.