The hill district of Rangamati has suffered the highest casualty in landslides triggered by heavy rain.
Published : 14 Jun 2017, 02:49 AM
Four army personnel killed in landslide during Rangamati rescue operation
4,000 moved to shelters as landslides leave scores dead in Bangladesh
The bodies of 88 people were recovered during rescue operation amid tough conditions on Tuesday. Deaths reported in Chittagong and Bandarban took the total toll to 125.
Forty-five people were killed in Sadar town, 23 in Cowkhali, 16 in Kaptai and two in Bilaichhari, said Additional Deputy Commissioner Prakash Kanti Chowdhury.
Four soldiers, including two officers, were buried alive under a landslide on Tuesday morning while they were working near their Manikchari camp to clear the Chittagong-Rangamati road blocked by an earlier landslide.
Roads and Highways Department's Deputy Assistant Engineer Abu Musa described the tragedy.
Musa said he was working to clear the road with a few workers when they were joined by the soldiers.
"The workers and I, we had just moved away when an entire hill collapsed on the soldiers. Four died on spot," he told bdnews24.com.
A soldier was still missing and ten more have been injured in that incident, said the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate.
Rangamati recorded the highest rainfall after a low pressure system influenced incessant showers in most parts of Bangladesh. The district got 343 mm rain in 24 hours before 6am Tuesday.
The deaths of Meli Chakma, 50, and her 6-year-old daughter Fency Chakma were described by the former's sister who survived the landslide at Rangapani of Sadar.
"Meli was cooking in the morning. Her daughter Fency was seated next to her. I somehow managed to run when mud came crashing down on our hut. It made a horrible sound," she told bdnews24.com.
The woman, who was now at a local shelter, said more people died in her area while they were doing chores inside their houses.
Kalomani Chakma's home at Bhedbhedi was buried under a heap of soil, she said. "I thank the lord because I'm alive. But what happens now? The government is here with their shelters but what will happen to us tomorrow!" she wondered.
There were rows of dead bodies at Rangamati Sadar Hospital with relatives who survived grieving.
Landslides have damaged roads and other structures at Bhedbhedi, Montola, Rangapani, Shimultali and in Sadar Upazila, Arun Kanti Chakma, Sadar Upazila Chairman, told bdnews24.com.
Most places in Rangamati have been without power since early Tuesday and the Chittagong-Rangamati Highway was blocked along with other important roads in the district.