Incessant downpour over the past week have submerged more than 80 villages in Cox’s Bazar, leaving thousands of people marooned as flash floods wreak havoc across the southeastern district.
Among other upazilas of the district, Teknaf has borne the brunt of the devastation.
According to the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office, the district recorded a staggering 694 millimeters of rainfall in just the first seven days of July. Assistant meteorologist AB Hannan described this as “heavy rainfall,” noting that the daily average for July is typically around 99 millimeters. “Last July, Cox’s Bazar saw 1,706 millimeters of rain. If this continues, we may surpass that record,” he warned.
In Teknaf, all six unions are experiencing severe waterlogging estimating that around 50,000 people are stranded by the floodwaters.
Acting chairman of Hnila Union Mohammad Ali said, “Twelve of our villages are underwater, affecting more than 4,000 families.”
Meanwhile, Ziaur Rahman, chairman of Teknaf Sadar Union, reported that seven villages — including Maheshkhaliapara, Natun Pollanpara, Tulatuli, Lengur Beel, Khongkarpara, Mathpara, and Rajarchhara — are completely submerged.
St. Martin’s Island has also been hit hard, with tidal surges pushing seawater into many villages. Continuous downpours combined with poor drainage have worsened the crisis.
In Ukhiya, around 16 villages have been flooded by runoff from the surrounding hills. UNO Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury said, “The unrelenting rain caused this. If we get a break of 5-6 hours without rain, the water may recede. However, many roads are already damaged.”
The Rohingya refugee camps are not spared either. Flooding in camps 3, 7, 12, and 22 has affected about 15,000 refugees. NGOs are actively working on rescue and relief efforts.
Meanwhile, in Ramu upazila, water from the swollen Bakkhali River has entered several areas including Fatekharkul, Rajarkul, Srikul, Banglabazar, and Khurulia in Jhilongja, inundating at least 1,000 homes across 10-12 villages.
Water levels in the Matamuhuri River are also rising dangerously. In Chakaria and Pekua, more than 2,000 houses have gone under water.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said authorities are in constant communication with locals and closely monitoring the situation.
Md Salauddin Ahmed, sub-divisional engineer at the Cox’s Bazar Water Development Board, said, “The rising waters of the Bakkhali and Matamuhuri rivers have flooded many riverside areas. There’s a risk of embankments breaching in Maheshkhali and Kutubdia. Some areas have already suffered erosion, and urgent repair work is underway.”
