People from different parts of Banshkhali and neighbouring areas gathered in large numbers at Baharchhara sea beach on Sunday, awaiting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s arrival to stand beside flood-affected families following the worst flooding in recent memory.
Party leaders and activists began arriving at the rally venue in processions from the morning. The crowd grew steadily as the day progressed.
Small processions from Satkania, Lohagara, Boalkhali, Anwara and different unions of Banshkhali began making their way to Baharchhara. People entered the beach through all major access points, with each procession eventually converging at the rally venue.
By around 11am, several kilometres of Baharchhara sea beach had turned into a sea of people. Leaders of the Chattogram South district BNP and its affiliated organisations were addressing the gathering from the stage.
The prime minister is expected to arrive at the venue around noon. He is scheduled to hand over new homes to 100 impoverished families who lost their houses in the floods in Banshkhali.
According to Chattogram district administration sources, authorities selected 100 flood-affected families from Banshkhali municipality and nine unions of the upazila to receive the new houses.
Authorities gave priority to families whose homes were destroyed by the floods and who lack the financial means to rebuild them.
Each house measures 18 feet by 12 feet and has two rooms. Each unit also includes an attached bathroom measuring 5 feet by 5 feet.
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