Bangladesh Floods Kill at Least 44 as Over One Million People Remain Stranded

Pratidin

Bangladesh floods.

At least 44 people have been killed after days of torrential monsoon rain triggered widespread flooding and landslides across south-eastern Bangladesh, leaving more than one million people stranded as authorities intensified relief efforts on Saturday.

According to Bangladesh's Ministry of Disaster Management, flooding has affected seven districts — Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Moulvibazar and Habiganj — disrupting daily life, isolating thousands of families and leaving 267,918 households stranded.

Many residents have been unable to prepare food for several days after floodwaters inundated their homes, while others are struggling to recover after thick layers of mud buried kitchens and living areas.

Thousands of affected families are relying on emergency relief supplies and non-perishable foods such as flattened rice, puffed rice and biscuits that require no cooking.

Relief operations have been hampered by washed-out roads and damaged bridges, making it difficult for aid workers to reach some of the worst-affected areas.

Army and navy personnel have been using boats to deliver food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies to isolated communities as authorities continue efforts to assist those affected by the disaster.

"The government is doing everything possible to support flood victims. Relief, safe drinking water and medical supplies are being distributed, and we ⁠urge people whose homes have been inundated to move to the nearest shelter," Disaster Management and Relief Minister Iqbal Hossain said during a visit to affected areas in Chattogram.

The heavy rain also triggered landslides in Rohingya refugee camps in ⁠Cox’s Bazar earlier this week, killing 16 refugees, including women and children. More than one million Rohingya refugees live in the camps, where makeshift shelters on steep, deforested hillsides are especially vulnerable during the ⁠monsoon season.

Bangladesh is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, with seasonal monsoon rains regularly causing floods, river erosion and landslides. Scientists say climate change is making extreme rainfall more frequent and intense, increasing the scale and severity of such disasters.

Source: Reuters



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