6 killed in landslides as rainfall floods most of Cox's Bazar
Over 500 hotels and guesthouses are marooned, leaving thousands of tourists stranded
Heavy rains and strong winds have continued for three consecutive days in Cox's Bazar, with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department recording the highest rainfall of the year in the district.
The heavy rains triggered landslides in multiple areas, killing at least six people. Additionally, 90% of the coastal tourist district is now waterlogged, with around 100 villages inundated.
In the 24 hours from 12 September afternoon to this afternoon, the district received 501mm of rain, the highest single-day rainfall recorded since 2015, according to Abdul Hannan, assistant meteorologist at the Cox's Bazar Weather Office.
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He also warned that the rain is expected to continue for several more days.
Major roads and about 50 smaller streets in Cox's Bazar city have gone under water, disrupting businesses and causing significant property damage. Many households have also been flooded.
In the popular tourist area of Kolatoli, all roads, adjacent beach areas, and markets went under water. Over 500 hotels and guesthouses are marooned, leaving thousands of tourists stranded.
Among the worst-affected areas are the city's main roads, including the Bazarghata, Borobazar, and Tekpara, which have been completely submerged. At least 500,000 residents are estimated to be affected by the flooding.
Akhtar Kamal, councillor of Cox's Bazar's Ward 1 said, "If the heavy rainfall continues, 10,000 homes in this ward could be flooded. About 80,000 people in the area who rely on daily wages will be affected."
Osma Sarwar Tipu, councillor of ward 7, said landslides caused by hill runoff have submerged hundreds of homes and destroyed three bridges, cutting off transportation. "People are suffering due to the flooding," he added.
Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Cox's Bazar Hotel and Motel Owners' Association, said, "The entire Kolatoli road and all connecting roads, as well as the beach markets, are flooded. Areas from Hotel Laboni to Sugandha are submerged."
Six people have died in separate landslides in Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila and the Rohingya camps of Ukhiya.
In one incident, a landslide in Sadar upazila's Jhilongjha union claimed the lives of three of a family, including two children.
The victims were identified as Aki Moni, 21, and her two children, Miha Jannat Naima, 5, and Latifa Islam, 1.
Mizanur Rahman, a member of the local union parishad, said, "Around 2am [Thursday] night, heavy rain caused a sudden landslide, which buried the home of Mizanur Rahman's family. Neighbours managed to rescue Mizanur alive, but his wife and children were found dead."
In another incident, a landslide in Hakimpara Camp no-14 in Ukhiya buried three of a family under the debris.
The landslide killed three brothers—Abdur Rahim, Abdul Hafez, and Abdul Wahed.
Local authorities, including Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nilufa Yasmin Chowdhury, visited the landslide sites to assess the damage.
At least 80 villages in Teknaf and Ukhiya have been flooded, according to local representatives.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) of Cox's Bazar, Bibishon Kanti Dash, confirmed that families affected by the landslides in Jhilongjha have been given Tk75,000 in financial assistance.
Efforts are underway to relocate residents from vulnerable hillside areas, assess the damage, and provide aid to those affected, he said.
