Flood threat shifts north as death toll rises to 44

DHAKA AND CHATTOGRAM, July 12: Bangladesh's flood crisis is shifting from the southeast to the north and northeast, although the greater Chattogram region remains battered by days of torrential rain, flash floods and landslides.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecast more heavy rain over parts of Dhaka, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions in the next 24 hours. Many areas may receive 44-88mm of rainfall, with isolated places likely to get more than 88mm.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said 44 people have died and 39 others were injured in floods and rain-triggered landslides. More than 867,000 people have been affected nationwide, while 37,055 have taken shelter in 1,727 emergency centres.

Greater Chattogram remains the worst-hit region. Chattogram district alone accounts for more than 662,000 affected people, followed by Cox's Bazar with 158,027.

Fresh downpours on Sunday deepened misery across Chattogram city, causing widespread waterlogging, disrupting transport and forcing residents to wade through flooded streets. The BMD recorded 136.8mm of rainfall in the 24 hours until 9:00am Sunday, including 129mm in the preceding 12 hours, and warned that heavy rain may continue for another two to three days, raising the risks of flash floods and landslides. 

The port city has now endured more than a week of continuous rainfall. After recording its highest single-day July rainfall in 43 years earlier last week, renewed downpours submerged roads in Agrabad, Halishahar, Bakalia, Chandgaon, Chawkbazar, Patenga and several other neighbourhoods, leaving many streets under knee-deep water.

Normal life remained severely disrupted as public transport became scarce, rickshaw and CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers charged higher fares, and several schools suspended classes and examinations due to the adverse weather.

Port operations also faced disruptions. Lighterage activities at Chattogram Port's outer anchorage remained suspended because of rough weather, although operations at the jetties and container terminals continued normally.

Rail communication between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar resumed on Sunday afternoon after remaining suspended for five days due to inundated railway tracks near Sholashahar. Railway authorities restored services after raising around 300 metres of track, replacing displaced ballast and repairing damaged sections submerged under floodwaters.

The disaster has inflicted severe damage on agriculture and fisheries across Chattogram district. Preliminary assessments by the Department of Agricultural Extension and the District Fisheries Office show that 15,911.16 hectares of cropland have been damaged, while fisheries losses are estimated at Tk 91.42 crore.

Floodwaters washed away fish, shrimp and fry from 9,933 ponds, lakes and commercial farms across 153 unions. Banshkhali suffered the highest fisheries losses at Tk 41.5 crore, followed by Satkania (Tk 10.76 crore) and Lohagara (Tk 8.48 crore).

Agricultural losses include damage to 9,043.5 hectares of Aush paddy, 960.66 hectares of Aman seedbeds, and 5,907 hectares of summer vegetables, raising concerns over food production and farmers' livelihoods.

The human toll across the southeastern districts has also been severe. Cox's Bazar recorded 23 deaths, including 13 Rohingya refugees, while 11 people died in Chattogram, six in Bandarban, and three in Rangamati. Many of the fatalities were caused by landslides and drowning.

Although conditions have started improving in Bandarban, thousands of people remain displaced. Authorities said around 6,250 people are still staying in 220 shelters, while approximately 8,500 families remain stranded by floodwaters. Preliminary agricultural assessments indicate crop damage on 3,702 acres, while 26 landslides have been recorded across the district.

Deputy Commissioner Saniul Ferdous said relief operations are continuing with support from the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh, Fire Service and volunteer organisations. He said Tk 840,000 in emergency cash assistance has already been distributed among affected families, while all tourist destinations in Bandarban will remain closed until July 15 because of continuing landslide risks.

The transport network in Bandarban has suffered extensive damage. Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Sakhawat Hossain said restoring temporary road connectivity would require about Tk 70 million, while permanent reconstruction would cost nearly Tk 400 million. Major highways connecting Bandarban with Chattogram and Rangamati, along with roads to Ruma, Rowangchhari and Alikadam, remain damaged or partially inaccessible.