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The death toll from days of record rainfall, flash floods and landslides in Bangladesh’s Chattogram Division has risen to 39, while nearly 928,000 people remain marooned as floodwaters continue to inundate vast areas, according to the latest government figures.
The worst-hit areas are Satkania and Banshkhali in Chattogram district and Chakaria in Cox’s Bazar, where rescue and relief operations are being hampered by flooded roads and disrupted communications. The Bangladesh Army is preparing to deploy speedboats to deliver aid and evacuate stranded residents in remote areas.
According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Cox’s Bazar recorded the highest number of fatalities with 23 deaths, including 13 Rohingyas. Another eight people died in Chattogram, six in Bandarban, and two in Rangamati.
On Friday, two children—11-year-old Ashik and six-year-old Miraj—drowned after being swept away by floodwaters in Baharchhara Union of Banshkhali.
The Chattogram district administration said 188,648 families across the city and 16 upazilas have been affected by heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides.
Satkania and Banshkhali face worst flooding
Flood conditions have deteriorated sharply in Satkania and Banshkhali after embankments along the Sangu and Dolu rivers collapsed, leaving more than 500,000 people stranded. Homes, croplands, fish farms and rural roads have gone underwater, while boats have become the only means of transport in many areas.
Chairman of Chhadaha Union Parishad, Md. Morshedur Rahman, said around 1,500 families are in severe distress, with floodwaters reaching waist to neck level in many places, making relief distribution extremely difficult.
Satkania Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Khandaker Mahmudul Hasan said more than 400,000 people are marooned and that the biggest challenge is reaching isolated communities where roads and mobile networks have been completely cut off.
“We are preparing to use Bangladesh Army speedboats to deliver relief to inaccessible areas,” he said.
Cox’s Bazar and hill districts also badly affected
In Cox’s Bazar, flooding has submerged 18 unions and one municipality in Chakaria and Matamuhuri areas, affecting around 500,000 people. Thousands of families remain unable to cook due to chest-deep water in their homes, while shortages of safe drinking water have become acute.
In Rangamati, 461 tourists stranded in the popular Sajek Valley following heavy rain and landslides were rescued by the Bangladesh Army using a combination of boats and road transport.
Meanwhile, the Bandarban district administration has extended the closure of all tourist destinations in the district until July 15 because of continuing safety risks.
Government steps up relief efforts
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to intensify rescue and relief operations, particularly in the flood-hit areas of Chattogram Division.
