In the wake of torrential rain-triggered flash floods, Cox’s Bazar district has suffered extensive damages estimated at over Tk1.40 crore, as reported by local district authorities.
Around 480,000 people in 60 unions of the district have been affected by the flood.
However, the flood situation further improved in Cox's Bazar on Thursday.
In separate incidents on Thursday morning, bodies of four people, including a child, were recovered from Pekua and Chakaria upazilas.
According to local sources, the bodies of three children have been recovered from Ferangi Para area of Uzantia union of Pekua Upazila.
The deceased are Tahida Begum, 10, Amir Hossain, 5, and Humaira Begum, 8.
The recovered children went missing after being swept away by the floodwaters of the Matamuhuri river on Tuesday morning.
Besides, an unidentified dead body has been recovered after being washed away in the flood waters of Chakaria upazila.
Chakaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) JP Dewan said that although the flood water has started receding, several unions in the lower areas are still submerged in flood water. Once the flood water recedes completely, full flood damage can be assessed.
Loss and damage
Bhiboson Kanti Das, additional deputy commissioner (General) of Cox's Bazar District Administration said that 480,000 people in 60 unions in Cox's Bazar have been affected by floods due to heavy rains and landslides.
So far, 12 deaths have been reported in the district.
A total of Tk9 lakh cash and 83 tons of rice have been distributed to the flood affected areas.
Initial damage has been estimated at Tk1,40,50,000, said the ADC.
Water has started to recede from the areas of Kakara, Surajpur-Manikpur, Baraitli, Harbang, Purbabar Veola, BMchar, Paschim Baro Veola, Chiringa, Laksharchar, Koyarbil, Fasiakhali Chakaria Municipality, Pekua Sadar Union, Garznia Kachpia Kauar Rajarakul Union of Ramu Upazila.
Flood situation improving
The flood situation in Cox's Bazar caused by the heavy rains of the last five days and the water coming down from the upstream has further improved.
Due to less rain on Wednesday night, water has started coming down from houses, roads and streets. However, some houses and areas located in low-lying areas remain submerged.
Local public representatives are distributing relief items on behalf of the administration in the affected areas.
However, the local administration has not yet determined the extent of damage. As the flood waters receded in most of the areas, the suffering of the affected people has increased.
3 died inhaling toxic gas inside septic tank
An elderly man along with his two sons died apparently after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning a septic tank which became unusable in 'flood water' at Chakaria in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday night.
The deceased are Anwar Hossain, 78, and his sons Shahadat Hossain, 50 and Shahidul Islam, 22, of Bahaddarkata area of BMchar Union of Chakaria.
Javed Mahmud, officer-in-charge of Chakaria police station confirmed the matter.
He said that the incident took place at Bahaddarkata area of BMchar Union of Chakaria Upazila at 11pm.
Quoting locals, the OC said that the water entered the septic tank of their house which made it unusable.
Two brothers came down to clean the septic tank as the water went down from the house. They became unconscious inside the tank due to gas poisoning. Meanwhile, their father also fell ill while trying to rescue them, the OC added.
Being rescued by the locals, they were taken to Chakaria Upazila Health Complex where a duty doctor declared the two brothers dead.
Their father died on Thursday morning while undergoing treatment.
With these, 12 people have died in the flood so far.