Relentless rain over the past four days has submerged vast low-lying areas of Rangamati's Baghaichhari and Bilaichhari upazilas, displacing thousands of residents and crippling road communications as floodwaters continue to rise.
Although rainfall eased on Thursday morning and sunshine broke through for the first time in four days, flooding continued to worsen as rising waters spread across more low-lying areas.
Several wards of Baghaichhari municipality and surrounding unions remain inundated, stranding residents and forcing many families to take shelter in emergency centres, bringing their cattle and goats to safety.
In Bilaichhari, Farua Bazar and several nearby villages have gone underwater due to flash floods triggered by hill runoff. Road communication between Rangamati and Khagrachhari has also been severed after the Mahalchhari road was submerged.
Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amena Marjan said persistent heavy rainfall had caused flooding across the upazila. A total of 14 shelters, including three in the municipality, have been opened, currently accommodating around 1,272 people.
According to the district administration, 140 shelters have been opened across Rangamati, where 4,166 people are now staying.
The administration also reported 97 landslides across the district amid the ongoing downpour, including 15 in Kaptai, 10 in Sadar, 30 in Kaukhali, three in Baghaichhari, two in Naniarchar, and 37 in Bilaichhari.
The Rangamati Weather Observatory Centre recorded 130 mm of rainfall in the district over the past 24 hours.
