Flash floods and landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains have killed at least 50 people in Bangladesh over the past week, officials said on Sunday, while tens of thousands have been forced to leave their homes.
Bangladesh, a river-filled delta country that is highly vulnerable to flooding and landslides during the monsoon season, is facing increasingly severe weather events, with scientists linking the growing intensity and frequency of such disasters to climate change.
For several days, army and border guard personnel have been delivering food, drinking water and other essential supplies by boat to communities cut off by severe flooding in southeastern districts.
Mohammed Ziauddin, the divisional commissioner of Chattogram, told AFP by phone that 50 people had died in the worst-hit district over the past week, including 29 who were killed in landslides.
“Two individuals are still missing,” he said.
Around 35,000 people have been moved to government-run shelters, he added.
Among those affected was Mohammed Forkan, whose family was unable to fulfil his final wish of being buried beside his parents because the cemetery was submerged under chest-deep water.
“We placed my uncle’s body on a bamboo raft and swam alongside it in search of a piece of land that was not underwater,” his nephew Nizamuddin told AFP.
“Finally, we managed to bury him on government land and held a small funeral prayer.”
Authorities have set up around 4,000 shelters for displaced residents as shortages of food and clean drinking water worsen the situation.
Residents said many families remain in difficult conditions, with floodwaters covering their homes and kitchens.
Last week, landslides triggered by heavy rains in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar killed 15 people.
More than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees live in densely packed settlements on hillsides cleared of trees, leaving the terrain vulnerable to landslides during monsoon rains.
Sarder Udoy Raihan of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said conditions in the southeastern regions were expected to improve soon.
“But the monsoon remains active over the northeastern and northern parts of Bangladesh, and there is a possibility of further inundation,” he told AFP.
Pakistan expresses solidarity
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and destruction caused by the floods and landslides in Bangladesh.
“The president extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and the well-being of all those affected,” a statement shared by his office said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also conveyed condolences to the affected families, saying he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and widespread devastation caused by the severe floods and landslides in Bangladesh”.
In a post on X, the premier said, “We pray for the swift recovery of the injured and the safety of all those affected.”
