Landslide, flood death toll rises to 56

The death toll from landslides, floods, flash floods and torrential rain has risen to 56, with 39 people injured across seven districts, as authorities warned that moderate to heavy rainfall is likely to continue for the next five days, raising concerns over fresh flooding in vulnerable areas.

According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief's latest situation report issued at 400 pm on Tuesday, 329 emergency shelters have been opened, accommodating 10,854 displaced people. The flood-hit districts are Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Moulvibazar and Habiganj. While the ministry's summary mentions 59 affected upazilas, the district-wise breakdown lists 57 upazilas, along with 334 unions and 12 municipalities affected.

Cox's Bazar has recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 31 deaths, including 18 Bangladeshi residents and 13 Rohingyas. The district also reported 24 injuries and one missing person. Chattogram recorded 15 deaths and 12 injuries, while Bandarban reported six deaths, Rangamati three, and Moulvibazar one. One person was injured in Khagrachhari and two in Bandarban.

Among the shelters, Chattogram's 70 centres are housing 3,140 people, Rangamati's 40 shelters 3,158, Bandarban's 54 shelters 2,584, and Moulvibazar's 10 shelters 1,745. Khagrachhari has 34 people in three shelters, while 193 people are staying in three shelters in Cox's Bazar. Habiganj has opened two shelters, though no occupancy figure has been reported.

The report said partial waterlogging persists in 16 upazilas, including Chattogram city. Disaster impacts have spread across 122 unions in Chattogram, 71 unions and four municipalities in Cox's Bazar, 43 unions and two municipalities in Rangamati, and 34 unions and two municipalities in Bandarban.

To support relief efforts, the government has allocated Tk 17.5 million and 3,250 metric tonnes of rice for the seven worst-affected districts between July 7 and July 14. Chattogram received the largest allocation of Tk 6.5 million and 1,200 tonnes of rice, followed by Cox's Bazar with Tk 3 million and 450 tonnes, Rangamati Tk 2.5 million and 500 tonnes, Khagrachhari and Bandarban Tk 2 million and 400 tonnes each, Moulvibazar Tk 1 million and 200 tonnes, and Habiganj Tk 500,000 and 100 tonnes. Nationwide, the ministry has allocated Tk 46 million and 8,950 tonnes of rice for all 64 districts.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecast that moderate to heavy rainfall will continue over much of the country during the next 120 hours, with a low-pressure area likely to develop over the northwest Bay of Bengal within 24 hours. Heavy rainfall is expected across large parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, with intermittent rain also forecast for Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) reported that the Teesta at Dalia, Surma at Chatak, Kushiyara at Markuli and Fenchuganj, and Someswari at Kolmakanda are currently flowing above danger level. Flood conditions along the Surma-Kushiyara basin in Sylhet and Sunamganj are expected to improve within 24 to 48 hours, while water levels in the Someswari basin of Netrokona may remain stable before gradually receding. The Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers may remain elevated for another day, with temporary inundation possible in low-lying areas of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram. Water levels in several northern rivers, including the Tangon, Punarbhaba, Atrai, Mahananda and Karatoya, are also expected to continue rising over the next three days.

Meanwhile, conditions in the Rohingya camps of Ukhiya and Teknaf have improved as floodwaters receded following two days of relatively light rainfall. Hundreds of displaced Rohingya families have begun returning to their shelters after water drained from low-lying camps.

Residents said they are cleaning mud-filled homes and repairing damaged shelters, though many household belongings were destroyed by floodwater. Mohammad Abchar of Jadimura Camp said his family had stayed on higher ground for several days before returning home, only to find furniture and essential items ruined. Similar experiences were shared by Nazim Ullah of Balukhali Camp and Chhaiyad Alam of Kutupalong Camp, who said many shelters still require repairs before normal living can resume.

Teknaf Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Camp-in-Charge Khanzada Shahriar Bin Mannan said the situation is steadily returning to normal as water recedes. He added that authorities continue monitoring camp conditions while providing necessary humanitarian assistance to affected Rohingya families.