Play store
Prolonged heavy rainfall over the past week has triggered flash floods and landslides across all seven upazilas of Bandarban, leaving thousands stranded and cutting off road communication with the rest of the country.
Although floodwaters receded slightly on Friday, continuous downpours until early Saturday caused water levels to rise again, submerging key roads and low-lying areas.
Boats, which had been withdrawn after water levels dropped, were redeployed on Saturday morning as roads went underwater once more.
Several areas in Bandarban Sadar—including Army Para, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, the WAPDA Bridge area, Banani sawmill, Islampur, Brigade area, and parts along the Sangu River—have been inundated.
Flood-affected residents have taken shelter in designated centres, where the municipality and district administration are distributing khichuri and dry food.
Meanwhile, the Bandarban–Keranihat and Bandarban–Rangamati roads remain submerged, severing the district’s road links with the rest of the country.
In addition, landslides triggered by heavy rains have blocked roads in Lama, Alikadam, Naikhongchhari, Ruma, Thanchi, and Rowangchhari upazilas, disrupting both inter-district and inter-upazila transport.
Water levels in the Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers continue to rise and are flowing above the danger mark.
Authorities are using loudspeakers to urge residents living in landslide-prone foothill areas to move to safer locations.
District Commissioner Md Saniul Ferdous said that 220 shelters have been opened across the district, with more than 5,000 people already taking refuge.
He added that all shelter residents are being provided with cooked meals and dry food, while the army, police, and fire service are working jointly to manage the situation.
