Devastating active monsoon rains have triggered severe floods and deadly landslides across Bangladesh, leaving at least 14 people dead and hundreds of thousands stranded.
In Cox's Bazar alone, 11 people—including eight Rohingya refugees—died in landslides over the past two days. Additional fatalities from rain-related accidents and landslides were reported in Rangamati, Rangunia, and Bandarban.
Chattogram is facing its worst waterlogging in 42 years. The crisis has paralyzed the port city, forcing the postponement of HSC board exams and the closure of 48 educational institutions. Transportation is severely disrupted; three international flights were diverted from Shah Amanat Airport, and passenger trains on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar route were stranded for over seven hours due to submerged tracks.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts are particularly vulnerable. Direct road links between Khagrachari and Rangamati are severed. Authorities have closed all tourist spots in Bandarban and relocated vulnerable residents to 220 emergency shelters.
The crisis extends beyond the southeast. Heavy downpours caused severe urban waterlogging in the capital, Dhaka, and Barishal. In coastal areas like Barguna, thousands of fishermen have sought safe harbor as Payra seaport hoisted local warning signal number 3.
The Meteorological Department warns that heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue across six divisions over the next 48 hours. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre also cautioned that rapid water level rises in the Teesta and other rivers could trigger short-term flooding in 12 northern and northeastern districts.
