4,50,000 marooned in Ctg as worst rains in four decades trigger flooding; all official leave cancelled

Around 450,000 people have been left stranded by flooding in Chattogram, prompting the district administration to cancel all types of leave, including weekly holidays, for government officials and employees to intensify rescue and relief operations.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zahidul Islam Mia disclosed the measures at a press briefing at his office this afternoon (9 July), after which a formal office order was issued.

The move came as five days of heavy rainfall triggered the worst flooding in the district in four decades, with hill runoff and waterlogging submerging vast areas. 

Satkania upazila has been the worst hit, with nearly 70% of the area submerged. Large parts of Chandanaish, Lohagara, Banshkhali and Boalkhali upazilas have also been flooded.

In response, the Chattogram district administration has cancelled all leave – including weekly holidays – for all officials and staff under its jurisdiction. Round-the-clock control rooms have been activated at every upazila and at the district administration office to coordinate rescue operations, relief distribution and situation monitoring.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has allocated 200 metric tonnes of rice and Tk10 lakh in emergency funds, with an additional Tk20 lakh received from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. 

The first tranche of allocations has already been distributed across the affected upazilas, with further disbursements to follow based on requests from upazila nirbahi officers.

Ten speedboats have been deployed on an emergency basis in Satkania to strengthen rescue efforts. 

Across the district, 629 shelter centres have been kept ready. Residents taking shelter are being provided with flattened rice, puffed rice, molasses, muffins, cakes, biscuits, oral saline and five litres of purified drinking water each. Special healthcare has also been arranged for pregnant women, children and the elderly.

Around 8,000 people have already taken refuge in shelter centres across Satkania, Lohagara and Chandanaish upazilas. Upazila administrations and local elected representatives have been instructed to ensure no flood-affected person is left without food or essential assistance.

Separate rescue and relief teams have been formed comprising the district administration, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, various government agencies, Bangladesh Red Crescent, YPSA, the Ansar battalion, volunteers and non-governmental organisations, all of whom are operating in the affected areas.

"Human life is our foremost priority. Not a single life should be lost due to even a moment's negligence," DC Zahidul said. "I urge everyone not to stay in risk-prone areas and to move to the nearest shelter centre." 

He added that the Prime Minister's Office is being updated on the situation regularly, with hourly briefings and instructions being exchanged. 

"Disaster response is not the government's responsibility alone – it is a collective responsibility of the entire society," he added, calling on people from all walks of life to stand by those in distress.