Over a week of continuous rain and heavy downpours has led to waterlogging in more than 50 villages in Cox’s Bazar, affecting around 100,000 people.
Many homes in these areas have been damaged due to rainwater and water from upstream, with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Monday warning of possible landslides if the rain continues.
Persistent rainfall on the day caused waterlogging on the main Kolatali road of Cox’s Bazar, severely disrupting vehicular movement and causing distress for tourists.
Beyond the tourist zone, more than 50 villages in nine upazilas, including Ukhiya, Teknaf, and Chakaria, have been affected by waterlogging.
Roads and highways have been submerged, halting transportation, while the sea remains turbulent.
According to Abdur Hannan, a meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar met office, 179 millimetres of rainfall were recorded from 6am to 6pm.
"Due to the turbulent sea and the risk of landslides, residents living in vulnerable hilly areas have been advised to move to safer locations. The heavy rainfall is expected to continue for several more days," he said.
Meanwhile, nearly 60,000 families across 50 villages in Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas have become waterlogged.
Local representatives and officials confirmed that 10 villages in Ukhiya and 40 in Teknaf have been inundated.
Waterlogging has also been reported in three Rohingya camps in Ukhiya.
Local representatives from various unions in Teknaf reported that at least 40 villages have been flooded due to heavy rain.
They said approximately 50,000 families are currently trapped.
Among the affected areas are eight villages in Whykong union, seven in Hnila union, five in Teknaf municipality, five in Teknaf Sadar union, seven in Subrang union, and eight in Baharchhara union.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SK Ahsan Uddin stated: “People in several villages have become trapped due to heavy rainfall. We are checking in on them. There is also a possibility of landslides, and since morning, residents in vulnerable areas have been asked to relocate. Shelters are ready.”
In Ukhiya, the continuous rain and water from upstream have caused extensive damage.
Waterlogging has occurred in 10 villages, and vegetable fields, seedbeds, and betel leaf plantations have been destroyed. Rural roads have also become impassable.
Ukhiya UNO Md Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury said he has visited the affected areas and is working to quickly drain water and resolve the waterlogging. "Union parishad chairmen have been instructed to prepare lists of affected residents."
Helal Uddin, a union parishad member from Kutupalong in Rajapalong union, Ukhiya, reported that three Rohingya camps have been affected by waterlogging, causing suffering for several Rohingya families.
Additionally, continuous heavy rainfall has caused waterlogging in 30 villages of Chakaria, Pekua, and Ramu upazilas in Cox’s Bazar.
As a result, around 40,000 people have become trapped, and significant damage has been reported to vegetable fields and seedbeds in these villages.