Floods and landslides ravage SE Bangladesh 

CHATTOGRAM, July 11: Torrential monsoon rains and a low over the Bay of Bengal have triggered severe flooding, landslides and waterlogging across southeastern Bangladesh, leaving dozens dead, disrupting transport, port operations and public services, while the government has launched a nationwide rescue, relief and rehabilitation campaign.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) recorded 237.5mm of rainfall in Chattogram in the 24 hours until 10am on Wednesday, after the city received 412mm in the previous 24 hours, surpassing its previous 24-hour rainfall record of 411mm set on August 4, 1983. 

The BMD has advised the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra to keep Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 hoisted due to squally weather over the North Bay, while rainfall is expected to continue through Saturday.

Three consecutive days of heavy rain caused extensive waterlogging across Chattogram, inundating major areas including Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, Gate No. 2, WASA Circle, Halishahar, Patenga, Chandgaon, Bakalia and Chawkbazar. Tidal water further flooded Agrabad, Kattali, Bandartila, Goshaildanga, Saltgola, Chaktai and Khatunganj, bringing traffic to a near standstill despite ongoing drainage projects worth Tk14,000 crore.

The adverse weather also disrupted cargo handling at Chattogram Port's outer anchorage. Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Refayet Hamim said unloading operations from 43 vessels had been suspended due to rough seas, although container terminals remained operational. Rough weather also interrupted LNG unloading at the Moheshkhali Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), reducing regasified LNG supply by about 300 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd). State-run Petrobangla warned consumers nationwide to expect low gas pressure until maritime conditions improve.

Road transport, railway services and tourism were also affected. Train services between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar were suspended beyond Chattogram, including the cancellation of the Parjatak Express, while flight operations at Shah Amanat International Airport later returned to normal. HSC and equivalent examinations under the Chattogram Education Board in Chattogram and Rangamati were postponed. Chattogram City Corporation closed all educational institutions under its jurisdiction for two days, while Chittagong University suspended classes and examinations.

The continuing rain has significantly increased the risk of landslides. In Chattogram, at least eight people, including two children, were killed in separate wall-collapse and landslide incidents in Rangunia, Baghaichhari and Cox's Bazar. Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Jahedul Islam Mia said 629 shelters, with eight additional emergency shelters on standby, had been opened and more than 1,200 residents from vulnerable hill areas were relocated. Authorities are urging about 6,555 residents living on 26 risky hill slopes in the city to evacuate as flooding has also spread to Satkania, Chandanaish and Rangunia.

Flood conditions have worsened across Bandarban, where the Sangu River was flowing two metres above the danger level on Saturday. Large parts of Bandarban town remained submerged, with boats operating in residential areas. Road communication with seven upazilas has remained cut off for five days due to submerged roads, landslides and bridge damage, while electricity, mobile networks and supply chains have been severely disrupted.

The Bandarban district administration has suspended all tourism activities and closed tourist destinations, waterfalls, trekking routes and risky areas until further notice. More than 2,100 people have taken shelter in 220 shelters, receiving assistance from the district administration, Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local authorities. BGB also rescued 122 flood-affected families from Kraikhyong Para and safely evacuated four stranded tourists and a local guide who had been trapped in Thanchi for eight days.

In Cox's Bazar, authorities said 26 people have died in floods and landslides between July 5 and July 10, including 15 Rohingya refugees, while more than 300,000 people have been affected. At least 150 villages in all ten upazilas have been inundated, with Chakaria, Pekua and Matamuhuri suffering the worst damage. Officials attributed the flooding to swollen rivers carrying runoff from Bandarban. Limited trawler services resumed on Saturday, allowing 140 stranded residents and emergency food supplies to return safely to St Martin's Island after a 10-day suspension.

Prime Minister's Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the government, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's directives, has launched a coordinated rescue, relief and rehabilitation programme. He said the prime minister has been monitoring the situation round the clock and has instructed officials at all levels to ensure effective rescue operations. Tarique Rahman is scheduled to meet all divisional commissioners on Sunday to review the situation.

Mahdi said the prime minister has approved more than Tk2 crore in emergency financial assistance, while over 1,000 shelters are now operating with food, safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. The Coast Guard, BGB, Army, medical teams and local administrations have been deployed, while preparations are underway to repair damaged roads and railways, assess losses suffered by households and farmers, and expand relief distribution.