Two die in flooding, landslide in Cox’s Bazar amid rain

So far, the death toll from the flooding and landslides stands at 28

Two more people have died in Cox's Bazar due to flooding and landslides caused by days of heavy rain. A woman was killed in a landslide in Cox's Bazar town, while a 19-month-old child drowned in floodwaters in Pekua.

The death toll from the flooding and landslides in the district amid the ongoing inclement weather has now risen to 28.

Pekua Upazila administrator (UNO) Rafiqul Islam said that a child drowned in the floodwaters in the Bolirpara area of the Upazila’s Sadar Union on Saturday night.

The child was identified as 19-month-old Mushfiqur Rahim, the son of Nasir Uddin, a local from the area currently living as an expatriate.

Local journalist Hero Alam said the floodwaters had reached knee height in the child’s family's house and were up to the waist in the yard. The mother was working outside, leaving her child at home. The child then fell into the water and was swept away by the current.

“After much searching by the family and locals, the child was rescued about 120 feet from the house and taken to the hospital, where the doctor declared him dead,” Rafiqul said.

Regarding the flood situation, the UNO said: “Although the situation in the Upazila has improved somewhat, there is still water in many areas.”

Therefore, he urged residents to stay alert.

Meanwhile, Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Director Syed Morshed Hossain said that a woman was killed in a landslide in the Jharjharipara area of East Kalatali on Saturday night around 9:45pm. Other members of the family made a narrow escape.

The deceased was identified as Rozina Begum, 40, a local resident.

Citing relatives, Fire Service officer Syed Morshed Hossain said that while Rozina was preparing dinner in the kitchen next to the hill, it suddenly collapsed. She was buried by the hill collapse.

When the incident was reported, two units of the Fire Service launched a rescue operation. After several hours of effort, Rozina’s body was recovered. Abdul Majid, her husband, was also slightly injured.

Majid said that he repeatedly told his wife not to go to the kitchen because of the landslide risk amid the rain.

Fire Service official Morshed said the district's hills have become very risky amid the rain. Although residents in the high-risk areas have been regularly instructed to move to safe shelters via public announcements, many are returning because they need to earn a living.

He said that due to the continuous rain, there is still a risk of landslides and waterlogging in various areas of the district. He urged everyone not to stay in the areas near the hills until the weather normalises.