Heavy rain, hill runoffs leave tens of thousands marooned in Cox’s Bazar

More than 50,000 are stranded in Teknaf as water levels near danger mark in key rivers

Persistent heavy rainfall and runoff from hills have triggered flooding across Cox’s Bazar, submerging more than 80 villages and leaving tens of thousands of people marooned.

On Tuesday, district authorities say weeks of rain left low-lying areas inundated, with significant damage reported in several Upazilas.

“Initial reports suggest that around 80 villages across the district have been affected by the relentless downpour,” said Imran Hossain Sajib, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar.

In Chakaria and Pekua Upazilas, floodwaters from the overflowing Matamuhuri River have submerged more than 2,000 homes.

According to local authorities, over 10,000 residents have been affected in these two areas alone.

Md Salahuddin Ahmed, sub-divisional engineer at the Water Development Board, said the water levels of both the Bakkhali and Matamuhuri rivers are now close to the danger line.

“Several riverside areas have already gone underwater,” he said, adding that some embankments in Maheshkhali and Kutubdia have sustained damage and repairs are under way.

The Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office has recorded 694mm of rainfall in the first seven days of July, far exceeding the average daily rainfall of 99mm.

Assistant Meteorologist A B Hannan said, “This qualifies as heavy rainfall. July is typically the wettest month in Bangladesh, and we expect this trend to continue, though with a brief break around Jul 9.”

He warned that rainfall could pick up again after a short lull. Last year, Cox’s Bazar saw a record 1,706mm of rainfall in July, and this year could surpass that.

Teknaf is currently the worst-affected Upazila. Local officials estimate that over 50,000 people are now stranded.

In Hnila Union, 12 villages have been flooded, with more than 4,000 families affected, according to Acting Chairman Mohammad Ali. Roads in the area are submerged, cutting off access.

Flooding has been reported in 8 villages in Whykong Union, 7 wards in Teknaf Municipality, 6 villages in Teknaf Sadar Union, 7 in Shabrang Union, and 10 in Baharchhara Union.

“We’re monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with locals,” said Sheikh Ahsan Uddin, Teknaf’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), or Upazila executive officer.

Meanwhile, on Saint Martin’s Island, rough seas and tidal surges have pushed seawater into several coastal villages. The continuous rain has made the situation worse.

“There is no proper drainage here, which is making things more difficult,” said island resident Tayeb Ullah.

In Ukhiya, flash floods have inundated 16 villages, impacting nearly 10,000 people, according to UNO Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury.

Several roads have been damaged. Parts of the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya are also waterlogged. Local representative Helal Uddin said camps 3, 7, 12, and 22 have suffered flooding, affecting some 15,000 refugees.

Ramu Upazila has also been hit, with 10–12 villages submerged in unions such as Fatekharkul and Rajarkul.

In Cox’s Bazar Sadar, around 1,000 homes in the Banglabazar and Khurulia areas were flooded by the Bakkhali River, according to UNO Rashedul Islam.