Monsoon wreaks havoc in Bangladesh, floods and landslides kill 44, more than 10 lakh people affected

Dhaka. The continuous torrential monsoon rains in Bangladesh have caused widespread devastation. So far, 44 people have died in flood and landslide incidents, while more than 10 lakh people have been affected. The situation remains critical in seven districts of the south-eastern part of the country and lakhs of people are dependent on relief and rescue operations.

According to the Disaster Management Ministry, life has been completely disrupted due to floods in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhadi, Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts. About 2.68 lakh families are trapped in their homes due to the floods and thousands of families are cut off from the outside world.

Due to heavy rains, power supply has been disrupted in many areas. Due to damaged roads and bridges, there are difficulties in delivering relief material. The houses of many families are still filled with water, due to which even cooking is not possible.

Chattogram resident Nurul Islam said, “Our house is still filled with water. There is no way to cook food. The dry ration that was available has been exhausted and due to no electricity, we have to spend the night in the dark with our children.”

The government has intensified relief and rescue operations. Army and Navy teams are delivering food items, drinking water, medicines and other essential items to the affected areas through boats.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Iqbal Hussain said that the government is providing all possible assistance and has appealed to the people whose houses have been submerged to go to the nearest relief camps.

Heavy rains also triggered landslides in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, killing 16 refugees, including women and children. More than a million Rohingya refugees live in these camps and the temporary shelters built on the mountain slopes face great danger every monsoon.