30 dead, 2,50,000 affected as floods leave trail of destruction in Cox's Bazar

Floodwaters have begun receding in parts of Cox's Bazar after nine days of relentless rain, exposing the full extent of the devastation that claimed 30 lives, stranded around 2,50,000 people, and caused widespread damage to homes, roads, embankments and farmland across the district.

As the weather improved on the tenth day, the district administration began compiling a preliminary damage assessment, revealing extensive losses to life, property, infrastructure and agriculture.

According to the district administration, Cox's Bazar received 823mm of rainfall between 4 and 12 July, inundating nearly 49% of the district across 70 of its 71 unions and four of its five municipalities.

The disaster killed 30 people, including 13 Rohingya refugees, while one person remains missing. Most of the deaths were caused by landslides and drowning.

Initial estimates show that 1,613 houses and 30 educational institutions were damaged. The floods also washed away or damaged 2,048km of roads and 79 bridges and culverts, severely disrupting transport and communications.

Among the worst-hit areas was Chakaria, where about 80% of 10 unions and one municipality were inundated. Six people died and one remains missing, while 300 houses, 350km of roads and 20 bridges and culverts were damaged.

In Pekua, around 95% of the upazila went under water, killing two people and damaging 450 houses, 15 educational institutions and 230km of roads.

Maheshkhali, Kutubdia, Ramu, Cox's Bazar Sadar, Ukhia, Teknaf, Eidgaon and Matamuhuri also suffered extensive flooding, with widespread damage to homes, roads and bridges. Ukhia recorded the highest death toll, with 14 fatalities, including 13 Rohingya refugees.

District Commissioner Md A Mannan said 1,580 people had taken shelter in 618 shelters during the flooding. Authorities have so far distributed 7,790 packets of dry food and 298 tonnes of rice among affected residents, while additional relief has been sought from the government.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board said swollen waters of the Bakkhali and Matamuhuri rivers damaged the district's coastal embankments at 44 locations along its 381km flood protection network. A 25-metre section of an embankment at Purutyakhali East Para in Konakhali Union of Chakaria collapsed.

The floods also dealt a heavy blow to agriculture. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, crops on 4,212 hectares were damaged, including 2,620 hectares of Aus paddy, 470 hectares of Aman seedbeds, 995 hectares of vegetables and 166 hectares of betel leaf plantations. The losses have affected 43,210 farmers, officials said.