21 dead, thousands relocated

With the death of a child on Saturday in Cox’s Bazar, the total death toll from weeklong rain, strong wind and landslides reached 21, including six Rohingya refugees.

The natural calamities also forced thousands of people have been relocated in the last week in different parts of the district, which is home to the longest beach in the world, authorities said.

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mamunur Rashid confirmed the death toll to The Business Post. He also said that a total of 518 villages in the district were affected by the weather condition in the week.

Mohammad Mamun, a NGO worker from Rangikhali of Teknaf said, said flood water left many people stranded in their houses in his village and damaged roads and crops.

“Most of the houses in our villages are made of clay. They were badly damaged by flood water. The water started receding on Saturday but it is still very bad,” he said.

UN refugee agency UNHCR said over 3,800 shelters housing over 21,000 refugees have been destroyed or damaged as a result of the turbulent weather events.

The damaged facilitates include hundreds of primary health clinics, distribution points and latrines, it said in a statement.

More than 13,000 refugees have been forced to temporarily relocate and have sought shelter in community facilities or with other families.

Many roads have been blocked by debris, pathways washed away, and footbridges destroyed, it said.

Bangladesh Metrological Department recorded 14mm rainfall in 24 hours until 9:00am Saturday.

UNHCR said more rains are forecast to continue in the coming days and lifesaving interventions are being prioritised during it continued assessment.

Aid workers have often warned against landslides and waterlogging in Rohingya camps, located in southeastern Bangladesh.

Earlier this month, the United Nations agency International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said it was assessing the risk of landslides, while also strengthening drainage networks, installing slope protection measures and upgrading key pathways in the region.

IOM and its implementing partners have also trained and equipped 10 mobile medical teams and 350 community health workers to act as first responders, while 11 ambulances have been kept ready.