Three days of continuous heavy rainfall have caused severe distress in the hilly and low-lying areas of Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf upazila.
Thousands of people have been affected by the threat of landslides and waterlogging.
In various areas of Teknaf — including Puran Pallan Para of the municipality, Shabrang, Hnila, and Shahporir Dwip — more than 50,000 people are living precariously on the hills. Due to the heavy rains, many families in these areas have become waterlogged.
In this situation, on Monday evening, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin visited various disaster-affected areas of Teknaf in person. After the visit, he distributed relief among those taking shelter at the Maymuna Government Primary School shelter located in Puran Pallan Para of the municipality.
Accompanying the deputy commissioner were Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sk Ahsan Uddin, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rakibul Hasan Chowdhury, and local administration officials.
Khatija Khatun, who is staying at the shelter, said: “We came to the shelter with our four children due to the fear of landslides. There is no problem here with accommodation or food. The quality of the food is also good.”
The Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) is working to evacuate people from disaster-prone areas.
Kulsum Begum, deputy team leader of Unit 13 of the CPP, said: “As per the administration’s directives, we are using loudspeakers to bring people from the hilly areas to the shelters and are engaged in round-the-clock service.”
Deputy Commissioner Salauddin said: “High-quality food and rice have been allocated to assist those affected by the heavy rains. If those who are living precariously at the foot of the hills and on forest department land express interest in moving to safer places, their issue will be reconsidered with importance.”
