Two killed, four injured as Chattogram endures heaviest rainfall in decades

Authorities say residents near vulnerable hills ignored repeated warnings to move to safer places

Record rain has turned deadly in Chattogram, killing an elderly woman and a 32-year-old man in separate incidents in and around the port city.

Four others were injured, including two when a hillside collapsed onto a house in Rangunia Upazila and two in a wall collapse in Panchlaish on Tuesday.

The elderly victim who died was identified as Renu Akhtar, 55, Upazila Administrator Md Nazmul Hasan said.

Nazmul said, "Considering the risk, we had already cautioned the people in that area to move to safer places and shelters. But they did not pay heed to us."

Meanwhile, a wall of a house collapsed at Rahman Nagar in Panchlaish, killing Shafiqul Islam and injuring Morjina Begum, 55, and 1-and-a-half-year-old child Saifa Akter.

Panchlaish Police chief Zahidul Islam told bdnews24.com that the accident occurred amid heavy rains.

Morjina and Saifa were later hospitalised.

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. 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.