The flood situation in Cox's Bazar district has remained unchanged for three consecutive days due to severe landslides triggered by incessant rainfall.
Since Wednesday night, the region has been experiencing a heavy downpour and it is expected to continue all throughout Thursday.
Meanwhile, at least 250,000 people in the district have become stranded. Floodwaters have swept across rural communities, washing away houses, fish enclosures and vast croplands.
At least 20 people, including Rohingya refugees, died in floods and landslides over the past two days.
Moreover, the Bakkhali and Matamuhuri rivers — the main rivers of the district — are currently flowing above the danger level.
According to district administration sources, 413 villages under 41 unions in Cox's Bazar have been flooded following three days of torrential rains.
In these locations, 30 shelter centres have been opened.
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The district’s Deputy Commissioner Mamunur Rashid said the upazila nirbahi officers had been granted special allocation for the flooded areas. “Some 135 tons of rice and Tk5 lakh have been provided so far. As needed, more immediate relief will be sent.”
More rain on the way
The Met Office in a bulletin on Thursday said that light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal and Chittagong divisions and at many places over Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions.
It also predicted moderately heavy to very heavy falls at different other places over the country.
The well-marked low over the southwestern part of Bangladesh and the adjoining area now lies over the western part of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal. It is likely to move northwestwards.
The axis of the monsoon, which is active over Bangladesh and strong over North Bay, trough runs through Punjab, Hariyana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, the centre of the well-marked low to Assam across Bangladesh’s central part.
Signal No 3
The Met Office in another bulletin on Thursday also advised the maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra to hoist the local cautionary Signal No 3 and alert vessels of a possible squall.
The advisory for Signal No 3 -- which means that a depression has formed and may affect the port later -- comes in the wake of the well-marked low.
“Under its influence, deep convection is taking place and a steep pressure gradient lies over the North Bay and adjoining areas,” said the bulletin.
Squally weather may affect the maritime ports, the North Bay and the adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, it added.
All boats and trawlers in the North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.
