Ctg records highest 412mm rainfall in 43yrs as floods bring city to standstill; one dies

Highlights:

• 412mm rainfall highest in 43 years
• One killed in wall collapse
• Trains, port and flights disrupted
• Authorities launch landslide evacuation

Chattogram recorded its highest rainfall in 43 years over the past 24 hours till 3pm today (7 July), as torrential monsoon rains measuring 412mm brought the port city to a standstill, leaving one person dead, disrupting transport and port operations, and inundating large parts of the city.

Confirming the data, Suman Saha, assistant meteorologist at the Patenga Meteorological Office told The Business Standard that the previous highest rainfall recorded in the city was 411mm on 4 August 1983.

Separately, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said it recorded 394.3mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 6pm, describing it as the highest rainfall of the current monsoon season.

The downpour, coupled with tidal surges, submerged roads across the city, with water rising to knee-deep and, in some places, waist-deep levels. Traffic movement was severely disrupted, leaving commuters stranded for hours, reports our correspondent.

Meanwhile, one person was killed when a boundary wall collapsed in the East Nasirabad area.

The victim, fish trader Shafikul Rahman, died after being trapped under the debris, while three members of his family sustained injuries, said Panchlaish police station officer-in-charge (OC) Zahidul Islam.

With the risk of landslides increasing, the district administration launched evacuation campaigns and public announcements urging residents living near 26 vulnerable hills to move to safer locations.

Chattogram City Corporation also activated its 101-member Rapid Response Team to conduct emergency rescue and relief operations.

The heavy rain also disrupted rail communication on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar route after floodwaters submerged sections of the railway line.

Nearly 1,000 passengers aboard the Cox's Bazar-bound Parjatak Express remained stranded as of 9pm after the train stopped near Sholoshahar Junction, while the Chattogram-bound Probal Express was also halted at Jan Ali Hat Station.

Railway officials said services would resume only after water receded from the affected tracks.

Operations at Chattogram Port were also affected, with cargo unloading suspended for 43 vessels anchored at the outer anchorage because of rough seas and adverse weather.

Air traffic was disrupted as well. Three domestic and international flights scheduled to land at Shah Amanat International Airport were diverted to Dhaka after pilots were unable to land safely due to poor visibility and severe weather conditions.

The Meteorological Department has advised maritime ports to keep local cautionary signal No 3 hoisted and warned that rivers in the region could experience minor flooding due to the combined influence of active monsoon conditions and a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.