2 Children Die, 300,000 Stranded in Cox's Bazar Floods

At least two children have died in separate drowning incidents as severe flooding triggered by five days of relentless rainfall and hill runoff continues to batter Cox’s Bazar district. More than 300,000 people have been stranded across Chakaria, the newly formed Matamuhuri and Pekua upazilas, where rising river waters have submerged hundreds of villages.

Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: Two children have died after drowning in floodwaters as the flood situation in Cox’s Bazar deteriorated following five consecutive days of heavy rainfall and runoff from surrounding hills. More than 300,000 people have been stranded in Chakaria, the newly formed Matamuhuri and Pekua upazilas as floodwaters inundated over a hundred villages.

The latest fatalities occurred on Thursday. Around 5:00 pm, two-year-old Mohammad Wakim, son of Soltan Ahmed, drowned in floodwaters in Maiz Kakara village under Kakara Union of Chakaria.

Earlier in the day, three-year-old Pushpo, son of Ariful Islam from Charpara area of Konakhali Union in Matamuhuri upazila, was swept away by floodwaters and died.

Shahin Delwar, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Chakaria, who is also overseeing Matamuhuri upazila, said financial assistance had been provided to the families of the deceased children.

He said local representatives had been instructed to remain on alert as swollen rivers continued to overflow into populated areas. Authorities have also started relocating residents living at the foothills to safer locations and opened sluice gates in coastal unions to accelerate the drainage of floodwaters.

The water levels of the Matamuhuri and Sangu rivers remain above the danger mark, leaving vast areas of Baraitali, Bomubilchhari, Kakara, Lakkhyarchar, Chiringa and Harbang unions in Chakaria under water.

Low-lying areas of Purba Barabheola, Dhemushia, Konakhali, BM Char and Saharbil unions in the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila have also been inundated.

In neighbouring Pekua upazila, floodwaters have entered Ujantia, Magnama, Barabakia, Mehernama and several parts of the municipal area, submerging roads, croplands and shrimp farms and bringing normal life to a standstill.

Nurul Islam, Executive Engineer of the Cox’s Bazar Water Development Board, said the water level of the Bakkhali River had risen to 5.88 metres, while the Matamuhuri River reached 6.54 metres, both exceeding the official danger level.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mannan said all 648 cyclone and flood shelters across the district had been kept fully prepared. A control room has also been opened at the Deputy Commissioner's Office to coordinate rescue operations, relief distribution and emergency response.

He urged residents to contact the district administration's control room in case of emergencies.

According to Abdul Hannan, Assistant Meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office, nearly 700 millimetres of rainfall have been recorded across the district over the past five days, contributing to the worsening flood situation.

-HIS