As floodwaters triggered by days of torrential rain and hill runoff continue to recede across the southeastern district of Cox's Bazar, the full scale of devastation is emerging. Authorities say at least 31 people have died in landslides and flood-related incidents, while thousands of houses, roads, fisheries, farmlands and embankments have suffered extensive damage.
According to the Cox's Bazar district administration, continuous rainfall from July 4 to July 12 caused severe flooding across the district. Preliminary assessments indicate that 70 of the district's 71 unions and four of its five municipalities were inundated. Nearly 49% of the district was submerged, leaving around 250,000 people stranded.
Pekua Upazila was the worst-hit area, with about 95% of its land flooded, followed by Matamuhuri (85%), Chakaria (80%), Kutubdia (65%), and Maheshkhali (50%). Floodwaters also affected 35% of Ramu, 25% each of Cox's Bazar Sadar, Ukhiya and Teknaf, and 5% of Eidgaon.
The district administration reported that 31 people, including 15 Rohingya refugees, lost their lives in landslides and other flood-related accidents, while one person remains missing. Ukhiya recorded the highest death toll, with 14 fatalities, including 13 Rohingya refugees killed in landslides. Six people died in Chakaria, where one person is still missing. Cox's Bazar Sadar reported three deaths, while Pekua and Ramu recorded two deaths each. One person each died in Matamuhuri, Maheshkhali and Kutubdia.
The floods damaged 1,613 houses across the district, with Pekua reporting the highest number of affected houses at 450, followed by Chakaria (300), Kutubdia (250), Maheshkhali (200), Matamuhuri (190), Teknaf (100), Ukhiya (50), Eidgaon (30), Ramu (25) and Cox's Bazar Sadar (18).
The fisheries sector has suffered an estimated loss of Tk 462.2 million. According to the District Fisheries Office, flooding damaged 3,918 ponds and 453 shrimp farms covering nearly 2,440 hectares. More than 1,097 metric tons of fish, 385 metric tons of shrimp, 35.6 million fish fry and 22.1 million shrimp fry were lost, while infrastructure at 768 farms was also damaged.
Agriculture has also been hit hard. The Department of Agricultural Extension reported that crops on 4,211 hectares, including Aus paddy, Aman seedbeds, betel leaf gardens and vegetables, were destroyed, affecting 43,210 farmers across nine upazilas.
Infrastructure losses are equally significant. The Water Development Board said 44 sections of embankments were damaged after the Bakkhali and Matamuhuri rivers rose above danger levels. Meanwhile, 2,048 kilometres of roads and 79 bridges and culverts were damaged, particularly in Chakaria, Matamuhuri and Pekua. Thirty educational institutions also sustained damage.
Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan said 1,580 people took shelter in 618 emergency shelters during the disaster. Authorities distributed 7,790 packets of dry food and 298 metric tons of rice among affected families, while additional relief assistance has been requested from the government. Officials said comprehensive damage assessments will be completed after floodwaters fully recede.
