Torrential Rains Trigger Deadly Landslides, Flooding Across Bangladesh
At least 22 lives have been lost in the past three days as relentless rainfall batters Bangladesh’s southeastern region. Heavy downpours, fueled by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, have triggered devastating landslides and widespread flooding, submerging homes and crucial infrastructure.
The region has experienced continuous rain for four days. On Wednesday alone, seven children were among those killed in landslides and collapsing walls in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and Rangamati districts. Chattogram city has been particularly hard-hit, with knee-deep to waist-deep floodwaters inundating several neighborhoods for a second consecutive day.
The rainfall has been exceptionally intense. On Tuesday, Chattogram recorded 412 millimeters of rain in 24 hours, the highest in 43 years. Experts note that while monsoon rains are expected, the current magnitude and the unusual lack of rain in the preceding weeks have made this event particularly severe.
The disaster has not only claimed lives but also disrupted daily life and essential services. Train services between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been suspended after railway tracks went underwater. This has left thousands of passengers stranded and caused significant inconvenience. Authorities are exploring options to raise sections of the railway embankment to prevent future disruptions.
In Cox’s Bazar, a tragic incident at a girls’ madrasah saw a retaining wall collapse during the heavy rain, killing five students. Three other children were critically injured and taken to the hospital. In other incidents across the affected districts, more lives were lost due to landslides, including a 10-month-old baby and a 13-year-old girl in Chattogram.
Roads have become impassable in many areas, isolating communities and stranding tourists. In the Sajek valley, around 450 tourists are currently stuck due to submerged roads. The local administration has banned travel to the area and is working on rescue plans once conditions improve.
Authorities are providing emergency shelters and urging residents in vulnerable areas to relocate. The full extent of the damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure is still being assessed as the rains show no immediate signs of stopping.
