Chattogram forms rapid response team after highest rain in decades

Three incoming flights abort landings as floodwater and poor weather disrupt air and rail services

The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has mobilised a 101-member rapid response team after the highest rainfall in decades and high tide inundated parts of the port city.

Mayor Shahadat Hossain announced the committee on Tuesday afternoon, naming CCC Secretary Ashraful Amin as its convenor and Chittagong City Red Crescent Society Secretary Golam Baki Masud as its member secretary.

Alongside joining the committee to ensure emergency services during such disasters, the Red Crescent Society launched a hotline number (01805-783389) and requested the city dwellers to contact in case of any emergency.

Mayor Shahadat requested those settled at the foot of the hills across the city to quickly move to shelters or safe places to avoid possible accidents as the risk of landslides has increased due to continuous downpour.

Chattogram recorded 412mm of rain in the last 24 hours until 3pm, the highest rainfall in the city in 42 years.

The last time the port city saw such rain was on Aug 4, 1983, when 511mm was recorded over a 24-hour period.

Parts of the city remained waterlogged since morning, and the number of affected areas rose as the day progressed. The railway tracks were submerged and a train was stranded.

Even operations at Shah Amanat International Airport were disrupted, forcing three incoming flights to abort their landings.