Days of heavy rain, rushing water from the hills, and sudden landslides have created a major crisis across the Chittagong division in southeastern Bangladesh. According to the latest official reports, 39 people have died across five districts, and nearly 930,000 people have seen their homes or livelihoods damaged by the water.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief reported that Cox’s Bazar was hit the hardest, with 23 deaths. Tragically, 13 of those victims were Rohingya refugees living in hillside camps. In other areas, eight people died in Chittagong, six in Bandarban, and two in Rangamati.
Local officials say that the floods have disrupted life for nearly 188,000 families. Roads, homes, and farms across 176 villages and towns are completely underwater. The government has opened 673 emergency shelters where around 24,000 people are currently staying. However, local residents say that people living in faraway, rural areas have not received any help yet.
Making things worse, the power has been out for days and mobile phone networks are down. This lack of communication has made it very difficult for rescue teams to reach people who need help.
The areas of Satkania and Bashkhali are experiencing the worst of the flooding, leaving more than 500,000 people trapped by the water. In one sad incident in Bashkhali, two young children—11-year-old Ashik and 6-year-old Miraj—were swept away and drowned by the strong currents.
Travel has also become a major problem. Part of the main highway connecting Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar has been underwater for days. A few vehicles are trying to pass through, but if the water rises any higher, the road will have to close completely.
Two main rivers, the Sangu and the Dolu, have overflowed, drowning fish farms, markets, and crops. In many places, people can only move around by boat. Families are now running out of clean drinking water, food, and medicine.
In Cox’s Bazar, around half a million people are affected, mostly in the Charia and Matamuhuri areas. Up in the hills of Rangamati, 461 tourists got stuck because the heavy rains ruined the roads. The Bangladesh Army had to step in to rescue them from the Sajek Valley. To keep people safe, all tourist spots in Bandarban will remain closed until 15 July.
Weather experts from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department warn that the danger is not over. Heavy rain is expected to continue across the region, and all five affected districts are at high risk for more dangerous landslides.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered emergency teams to speed up rescue and relief work. Press Secretary Saleh Shibly said that the Prime Minister is watching the situation closely and is talking to local officials every day to make sure help gets sent where it is needed most.
So far, the government has set aside 700 tonnes of rice and 60 million taka in emergency money. Thousands of packets of dry food and cooked meals have already been given out, but with more rain on the way, the situation remains critical.
