Continuous rainfall floods low-lying areas in Rangamati District

RANGAMATI, July 9: In the district, four consecutive days of heavy rainfall have flooded vast low-lying areas in Baghaichhari and Bilaichhari upazilas. 

Although rainfall decreased somewhat from Thursday morning, the number of flooded areas has increased. At the same time, landslides and water-logging have severely disrupted daily life.

According to field sources, several wards of Baghaichhari Municipality and numerous residential houses in various unions have been submerged by floodwaters. This has caused extreme suffering for local residents.

Many have taken shelter in relief centres along with their domestic animals and poultry. Meanwhile, in Bilaichhari Upazila, Farua Bazaar and several villages have been flooded by mountain torrents. 

Additionally, road communication with Rangamati has been temporarily suspended as the Mahalchhari road in Khagrachhari has been submerged.

Amena Marjan, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Baghaichhari, said that the heavy rainfall has created a flood situation in the upazila. A total of 14 shelter centres have been opened in the upazila, including three in the municipality, for affected people. Currently, approximately 1,272 people have taken refuge in these centres.

According to the district administration, a total of 140 shelter centres have been opened in Rangamati. A total of 4,166 people have sought shelter in these centres. The continuous rainfall has triggered 97 landslides of various sizes across different locations in the district. Among these, 37 landslides occurred in Bilaichhari, 30 in Kaukhali, 15 in Kaptai, 10 in Rangamati Sadar, 3 in Baghaichhari, and 2 in Naniarchar.

The Rangamati Weather Observation Centre reported that 130 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in the district over the past 24 hours. The administration has called upon residents living in vulnerable areas to move to safe shelters.