Heavy rains, mountain surges and sudden floods have created a humanitarian crisis in the Chittagong division. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 39 people have died in floods, hillslides and drowning so far. At the same time, about 9 lakh people have been affected in Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts.
The highest number of deaths was in Cox’s Bazar, where 23 people died. Thirteen Rohingyas were among the dead. Eight people were killed in Chittagong, six in Bandarban and two in Rangamati.
Sixteen upazilas in Chittagong district have been severely damaged. According to the district administration, 1 lakh 88 thousand 648 families have been affected and 176 unions and municipalities have been flooded. Sixty-seven shelters have been opened for the affected people, where 23 thousand 853 people have taken shelter.
The government has allocated 700 tonnes of rice and Rs 6 crore for the flood victims. Thirty tonnes of rice, Rs 4 crore, 250 packets of dried food and 18 thousand 330 packets of cooked food have already been distributed. A further 400 tonnes of rice and Rs 70 lakh have been reserved for the next relief programme.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue in Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari till July 12 due to active monsoon and light pressure. These districts have been identified as high-risk areas of the hills.
Two children, Ashiq (11) and Miraz (6), were killed in a flood in Banshkhali upazila of Chittagong on Saturday night. Water is still abundant in various areas of the upazila. Many people are under water as houses, farmlands, fish enclosures and roads are submerged.
The worst situation is in the cox’s Bazar. Eighteen unions and one municipality have been flooded in Chakria and Matamuhuri areas of the district. About three million people are under water. The shortage of clean water, lack of food and safe shelter is increasing.
Six people have been killed in floods and hillslides in Bandarban. All tourist destinations in the district have been closed till July 15th due to the risk situation. On the other hand, two people died in Rangamati and road communication was damaged. 461 tourists have been rescued from Sajek with the help of the Bangladesh Army.
Locals have complained that there is not enough relief and rescue assistance in many remote areas. They demanded speedy rescue, rehabilitation, safe water, food and treatment as well as a long-term plan to deal with such disasters in the future.