5 Dead in Lama Landslide as Floods Trap Thousands in Bandarban

Three days of continuous heavy rain have triggered severe floods and landslides in Lama Upazila, leaving five people dead and trapping an estimated 1,000 families in floodwaters.

The fatal landslide occurred early today (July 9) in the Mission Para area of Aziznagar Union. Local sources report that a section of the hill collapsed onto two houses below. The victims include Md. Yunus (28), his wife Ranu Akhter (22), and their 4-year-old son, Md. Soleman. A couple from a neighboring house, Jewel (35) and his wife Kulchuma Akhter (25), were also buried and killed.

The local administration, fire service, and residents are actively conducting rescue operations at the site. The tragic incident has cast a shadow of shock and panic over the area.

Meanwhile, the Matamuhuri River is flowing above the danger level, inundating low-lying areas across the Lama municipality, Aziznagar, Phansiakhali, Sarai, Lama Sadar, Phaitong, Ghazalia, and Rupsipara. The Lama Upazila Health Complex has also been flooded.

Landslides have been reported in at least 10 to 15 locations across the upazila. Thousands of homes, shops, schools, roads, and croplands are currently submerged. With floodwaters reaching waist-high in several communities, residents are fleeing to safe shelters with their livestock and essential belongings.

Emergency relief and rescue operations are underway. Lama Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Moin Uddin has been inspecting vulnerable areas, using loudspeakers to urge residents living at the foothills to evacuate to safer locations immediately.

The Bandarban Hill District Council has allocated 400 metric tons of rice for disaster relief, while local NGO Ekta Mahila Samity is providing hot meals (khichuri) to those at designated shelter centers. The upazila administration remains on high alert and has opened a central control room to monitor the crisis and coordinate relief efforts.