Sunamganj, March 3 -- A severe water crisis has gripped vast areas of Chhatak upazila in Sunamganj where nearly 80 percent of tube wells have run dry amid prolonged drought and a sharp decline in groundwater levels.

With more than 12,000 of the upazila's approximately 18,000 tube wells no longer yielding water, over 100,000 residents in more than 300 villages are facing acute hardship in accessing safe drinking water, according to local sources and official data.

The crisis spans in 13 unions including Bhatgaon, Kalaruka, Chharmahalla, Singchapair, Dolarbazar, Chaila-Afzalabad, Gobindaganj-Saidergaon, Uttar and Dakshin Khurma, Noarai, Islampur, Chhatak Sadar and Jaubazar.

Officials say groundwater levels have fallen abnormally to depth...