Five children were killed in separate landslides caused by heavy rain in Cox’s Bazar.
The mishaps occurred in the Banchamia Ghona area of Rumaliarchhara, and the Panerchhara area of Ramu upazila, in the early hours of Wednesday.
The deceased Abdul Hi, 8; Khairunnesa, 6; Kafia, 10; and Marzia Akter, 15-siblings from the Banchamia Ghona area and Morshed Alam, 6, was from the Panerchhara area.
The parents of the children were also injured in the incident, and are being treated at Cox’s Bazars Sadar Hospital.
Cox’s Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police Md Afrazul Haque Tutulconfirmed the incident to the Dhaka Tribune. “The landslides, caused by heavy rain throughout Tuesday night, killed five children inthe Banchamia Ghona and Rumaliarchhara areas.
“The bodies were sent to the Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue. Necessary measures are being taken as per the directions of the deputy commissioner,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cox’s Bazar district Acting Deputy Commissioner Kazi Abdur Rahman said: “We are deeply saddened by the deaths caused by the landslides. We will visit the affected areas. Tk20, 000 will be given to the families of the deceased.”
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, local met office Assistant Meteorologist Abdur Rahman said:The district has experienced heavy rainfall for the last two days.”
“We have recorded 228mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, and the downpour will continue. There are risks of flash floods and more landslides in the region,” he added.
District administration removing risky settlements from Cox’s Bazar hills
The district administration in Cox’s Bazar has said they have started evacuating people from the mountainous areas, fearing collapse,caused by heavy rain.
The Acting Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Cox's Bazar Kazi Abdur Rahman said: “We have already opened shelter homes for people affected by the landslides.”
He said: “The weather office has forecast heavy rainfall for two more days. This is why we are evacuating residents of the hilly areas.”
“There are 851 families in six wards of Cox’s Bazar municipality, who are in imminent danger of landslides.
“With the elections close at hand, major educational institutions are used as voting centres, and for the time being, a kindergarten called Lighthouse will be used as a shelter home for these families,” said the acting DC.
Six rescue teams under an executive magistrate along with public representatives and men from NGOs are working to move out people from the risky areas.
Heavy rain started from Tuesday afternoon, while the major tragedy occurred Wednesday.
