Flood death toll rises to 54 as 3 more die; over 6 lakh affected in 7 districts

Highlights: 

• 1,55,311 families remain marooned in 59 flood-affected upazilas
• More than 38,000 sheltering in 1,049 centres 
• Cox's Bazar records highest fatalities with 31 deaths
• Tk4.6 crore, 8,950 tonnes rice allocated for relief

The death toll from floods, flash floods, and landslides triggered by incessant rain and hill runoff has risen to 54, while more than 6.09 lakh affected people are struggling across seven districts, according to the latest report released by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

The report, updated at 4pm today (13 July), said 1,55,311 families remain marooned in 59 flood-affected upazilas under seven districts. A total of 334 unions and 12 municipalities have been inundated.

Among the fatalities, Cox's Bazar recorded the highest number with 31 deaths, including 13 Rohingyas, followed by Chattogram with 13, Bandarban with six, Rangamati with three, and Moulvibazar with one. Another 39 people have been injured.

Authorities have opened 1,049 shelters across the affected districts, where 38,422 people have taken refuge.

According to the ministry, Chattogram remains one of the worst-hit districts, with partial flooding reported in 16 upazilas, including the metropolitan area. A total of 122 unions have been affected, forcing 16,821 people to take refuge in 415 shelters. 

The district has received an allocation of 1,200 tonnes of rice and Tk85 lakh in cash assistance, while 915 tonnes of rice, Tk70.75 lakh, 45,800 dry food packets, and 19,950 cooked meals have already been distributed.

In Cox's Bazar, flooding has affected all 10 upazilas, inundating 71 unions and four municipalities. The district has recorded 31 deaths and 24 injuries, while one person remains missing. 

Relief allocations include 405 tonnes of rice, Tk48.5 lakh, and 450 dry food packets, of which 363 tonnes of rice, Tk33.2 lakh, and 45 food packets have so far been distributed.

The report said Bandarban has recorded six deaths and two injuries across seven flood-hit upazilas. A total of 220 shelters are housing 5,134 people. 

So far, 68 tonnes of rice, Tk2.4 lakh, 7,642 dry food packets, and 875 packets of baby food have been distributed, while NGOs have supplied an additional 3,133 dry food packets.

In Rangamati, three people have died, and 3,487 people have taken shelter in 47 centres across nine upazilas. Some 295 tonnes of rice and Tk20 lakh in cash assistance have been distributed around the district.

Moulvibazar has reported one death, with 1,024 people sheltering in 14 centres across three affected upazilas. 

Meanwhile, flooding in Habiganj has affected three upazilas, where 1,417 food packets, 10 tonnes of rice, and Tk1.2 lakh have been distributed.

The ministry also said it has allocated a total of Tk4.6 crore in cash assistance and 8,950 tonnes of rice for all 64 districts since 7 July, including flood-specific allocations for the seven worst-hit districts. 

Chattogram received the highest allocation of 1,200 tonnes of rice and Tk65 lakh, followed by Rangamati with 500 tonnes and Tk25 lakh, Cox's Bazar with 450 tonnes and Tk30 lakh, and Bandarban with 400 tonnes and Tk20 lakh.