2 children killed in landslides triggered by rain in Ctg

Two children died in separate landslides triggered by incessant heavy rainfall in Chattogram today (8 July).

The deceased were 10-month-old Mohammad Ashraful Islam Tanvir from Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda upazila, and 11-year-old Samia Akhter from the Mayor Goli area in the city.

The first incident occurred around 10am in the Jungle Salimpur Union's Ward 1, while the second took place at around 12:30pm near Chashma Hill area.

Additional Superintendent of Police Md Junayet Kawsar of the district Special Branch said torrential rains triggered a landslide, causing a large mass of mud to collapse onto a makeshift house, killing the infant.

Panchlaish Police Station Sub-Inspector Riyadus Salehin told The Business Standard that a portion of the hill collapsed onto two houses in Babu Colony.

"One of the houses was unoccupied, while an 11-year-old child was inside the other. She was taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead," he said, adding that no one else was injured.

Heavy rainfall over the past two days has disrupted normal life across Chattogram, with road links in many areas and rail services between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar remaining suspended.

Six people were killed yesterday (7 July) in separate wall and landslide incidents in Rangunia of Chattogram, Baghaichhari in Rangamati, and Cox's Bazar.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Chattogram recorded 237.5mm of rainfall in the 24 hours until 10am today.

The city had received 412mm of rainfall in the previous 24 hours until 3pm yesterday, surpassing the previous record of 411mm set on 4 August 1983 and marking the highest 24-hour rainfall in the past 43 years.