Chattogram DC cancels all leaves as 450,000 marooned

Satkania Upazila is the worst affected with flooding also reported in Chandanaish, Lohagara, Banshkhali and Boalkhali Upazilas

As Chattogram Division has been reeling from continued downpour for the last few days, the district administration has cancelled the leaves of its employees to help tackle the situation.

District administrator (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian announced the decision on Thursday, saying at least 450,000 people were stranded due to landslides and waterlogging.

"Satkania Upazila is the worst affected, with about 70 percent area submerged. Vast areas of Chandanaish, Lohagara, Banshkhali and Boalkhali Upazilas have also been flooded," he told reporters at his office.

He said they were monitoring rescue efforts, relief distribution and the overall situation from 24-hour control rooms in every Upazila and the district administration office.

DC Zahidul said the government has already allocated 200 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 1 million, while Tk 2 million was received from the Prime Minister's Fund.

Disasters triggered by excessive rain, hilly runoff and landslides for the last five days reportedly killed 30 people in the Chattogram Division, including five fatalities in the district alone.

[Updates to follow]