Ten die in Ctg, Cox's Bazar as relentless monsoon triggers landslides

Days of relentless monsoon rain have left a trail of death and destruction across the Chattogram division, killing at least 10 people yesterday (8 July) and raising the three-day death toll to at least 28, as torrential rain inundated towns and refugee camps, forced thousands from their homes, and prompted authorities to warn of more heavy rainfall over the coming days.

The latest victims included two children killed in separate landslides in Chattogram and eight Rohingya schoolgirls who died after a rain-triggered hillside collapsed onto a madrasa in Rohingya Camp-5 in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.

In Ukhiya, torrential rain triggered a massive landslide at around 2:30pm, burying the Masjidul Kuba Women's Madrasa and Hifzkhana Block A3 of Rohingya Camp-5, where around 50 students were attending classes and sheltering from the storm. The collapse killed eight schoolgirls, while 14 people were rescued alive, six of whom were admitted to hospital.

Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said the rescue operation, carried out by the Fire Service and Camp Coordination and Camp Management volunteers, concluded at around 5pm.

Four of the victims were identified as Rashida Begum (13), Umme Nejatul (13), Umme Salma (12), and Umaisa Bibi (13). Umme Nejatul and Umme Salma were sisters.

In Sitakunda's Jungle Salimpur, a rain-triggered landslide buried a makeshift house, killing 10-month-old Mohammad Ashraful Islam Tanvir. Hours later, a landslide struck two houses in Babu Colony near Chashma Hill in Chattogram city, trapping and killing 11-year-old Samia Akhter inside her home.

The latest tragedy came after heavy rain claimed at least 18 lives over the previous two days. On Tuesday, six people were killed in separate wall collapse and landslide incidents in Rangunia, Baghaichhari and Cox's Bazar.

On Monday, eight Rohingya refugees were killed in separate landslides across camps in Ukhiya, while two others died in landslides in Cox's Bazar town and Pekua. Two children, including a Rohingya child, also drowned in floodwaters. 

Authorities said around 3,000 families spent Tuesday night in shelters after low-lying areas were inundated. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 to 72 hours, raising the risk of flash floods and rapidly rising rivers across eastern and northeastern Bangladesh.

Transportation, public life disrupted in Ctg

Train services on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar route remained suspended after floodwaters submerged tracks. The disruption followed Tuesday's cancellation of the Parjatak Express, with Bangladesh Railway offering full refunds to affected passengers. 

During a visit to the flood-hit railway, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid announced plans to raise the 47-kilometre Chattogram-Dohazari railway line by about five feet to improve flood resilience. 

Elsewhere, floodwaters submerged roads, disrupted cargo handling at Chattogram Port and forced the postponement of HSC and equivalent examinations under the Chattogram Education Board. 

The Chattogram City Corporation closed all schools under its jurisdiction for two days, while Chittagong University suspended classes and examinations.

Trade hit hard, aviation back to normal

Relentless rainfall has brought trading activity at Chattogram's wholesale markets – Khatunganj, Chaktai and Asadganj – to a near standstill, with traders estimating that daily transactions have plunged by about 95%.

The markets, which typically handle Tk150-200 crore in daily trade, have seen cash transactions all but disappear as waterlogging across the city disrupted transport, cargo unloading and product deliveries. Although shops remain open, traders say customers are largely absent and few new orders are being placed.

Cargo handling at Chattogram Port's outer anchorage, along with the loading and unloading of trucks, has also been disrupted, further slowing commercial activity.

However, flight operations at Shah Amanat International Airport have returned to normal. Airport Public Relations Officer Engineer Ibrahim Khalil said three flights were diverted to Dhaka on Tuesday because of adverse weather before later returning to Chattogram, while several others were delayed.

Khagrachhari, Bandarban struggle with flooding; 16 landslides in Rangamati

Neighbouring Bandarban remained inundated as swollen rivers submerged low-lying neighbourhoods and riverside settlements, forcing residents into emergency shelters.

The district administration opened 220 shelters across all seven upazilas, with most evacuees concentrated in Bandarban Sadar. Families, many with children and elderly members, spent the night in crowded classrooms after floodwaters entered their homes.

The Bandarban district administration has extended the closure of all tourist sites until 12 July as persistent heavy rainfall continues to create hazardous conditions across the hill district.

District Commissioner Md Saniul Ferdous said sufficient food had been stockpiled for evacuees and army teams were on standby if conditions worsened. Road links remained largely operational, although traffic on the Roangchhari road was disrupted after a Bailey bridge went underwater.

Heavy rainfall flooded more than 40 low-lying areas across Khagrachhari, while authorities warned that about 500 families living on vulnerable hill slopes remain at risk of landslides.

Water levels rose along the Chenggi, Feni and Maini river basins, prompting many residents to move to safer locations. Locals reported fresh cracks on rain-soaked hillsides, raising fears of further collapses if the downpour persists.

In Rangamati, landslides have been reported at 15 to 16 locations on key highways and regional roads, while road links with Bandarban have been severed and connectivity with Khagrachhari has remained suspended since Monday after part of the regional road went underwater.

At least 1,146 people have taken shelter in 20 emergency shelters as flooding and landslide risks intensified across Sadar, Baghaichhari, Bilaichhari and Juraichhari upazilas.