Cox's Bazar flood crisis escalates; 4.5lakh people stranded
Rainwater from mountain slopes and tidal waters triggered by relentless rains in Cox's Bazar has left stranded an alarming 4.5 lakh people from 45 unions across seven upazilas in the district as of Tuesday noon (8 August).
The Cox's Bazar district administration reported that the number of flooded unions has surged from 31 to 45 since Monday evening, affecting over 450,000 individuals from more than 6,000 families.
"167mm of rainfall was recorded in 24 hours from Monday 6am to Tuesday 6am. 17 millimetres of rain fell from 6am to 1pm on Tuesday. Rain is likely to continue for the next three days," said Dulal Chandra Das, monitoring officer at the Cox's Bazar regional meteorological office.
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Among the hardest-hit areas are the Chakaria and Pekua upazilas, where inundation has trapped an estimated 2.5 lakh people.
The crisis has brought about shortages of clean drinking water and cooking facilities, leaving many to rely on dry food.
"I have visited several unions since morning. People are trapped by the surrounding water. UP chairman-members have been directed to arrange dry food for them," said Purbita Chakma, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Pekua.
"According to the administration, about 1.5lakh people are stranded. We are trying to take the flood-affected people to nearby shelters. People who have taken refuge at the shelters are being given clean water and dry food," said JP Dewan, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Chakaria.
Presently, around 700 families in Kutubdia, 10,000 families in Pekua, 500 families in Moheshkhali, 50,000 families in Chakaria, 1,000 families in Cox's Bazar Sadar, and 150 families in Eidgaon upazila have been affected, according to Ctg Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran.
"Shelters have been prepared in every upazila, and UNOs are on the field. They are also using boats to reach stranded people and bringing them to the shelters," he said.
