The death toll from floods and landslides triggered by the heavy rains rose to 54 yesterday, with the onslaught showing some signs of abating after days of devastation.
The latest report released by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief showed that Cox's Bazar recorded the highest number with 31 deaths, including 13 Rohingyas, followed by Chattogram with 13, Bandarban with six, Rangamati with three, and Moulvibazar with one.
Around 1,55,311 families remain marooned, with 59 upazilas affected by floods, alongside 334 unions and 12 municipalities which have been inundated.
Some 38,000 people have taken shelter in 1,049 shelters.
Jamalpur, which recorded the country’s highest rainfall at 209mm over the past 24 hours, was among the worst-hit areas yesterday.
Large parts of the district town remained submerged after days of rain, with knee- to waist-deep water inundating neighbourhoods including Kacharipara, Nayapara, Panch Rasta intersection, Bypass, Gatepara, Fakirpara, Chandra, Hatchandra and Monirajpur.
Residents said poor drainage and clogged canals had turned the heavy rainfall into prolonged waterlogging, disrupting transport, businesses, schools and healthcare services.
Municipal authorities blamed unplanned urban development and blocked drainage channels for the chronic flooding.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) warned that heavy to very heavy rain could continue over parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions over the next 24 hours, raising the risk of fresh flooding and urban waterlogging.
It, however, said the intensity of the rains may be less severe.
The BMD further said parts of Dhaka could again experience temporary waterlogging.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), four river stations on three rivers were flowing above the danger level on Monday morning.
The Surma River at Chhatak, the Kushiyara River at Fenchuganj and Markuli, and the Someswari River at Kalmakanda remained above the danger mark, while several other rivers were approaching warning levels.
Water levels were rising at 80 of the country's 127 monitoring stations.
Daily life becomes a struggle
In flood-hit southeastern districts, many communities remained cut off despite water receding in some areas. Officials said many families were still struggling to access food, drinking water and other essentials.
In Dhaka, heavy rain that began on Sunday continued into Monday, leaving many roads waterlogged and commuters facing another difficult morning.
Many roads in Banani, Bijoy Sarani, Karwan Bazar, Shantinagar, Dhanmondi, New Market, Motijheel, Dhaka University area, Shewrapara, Kazipara and Old Dhaka remained inundated, with water ranging from knee to waist deep in some places.
Public transport remained limited, many commuters reported paying higher fares, and some roads were blocked after vehicles broke down in floodwater.
Heavy rain also disrupted HSC examinations in several areas.
In Cumilla, where more than 107mm of rain fell within three hours on Monday morning, water submerged roads around examination centres, forcing some students to travel by boat to reach their HSC examination halls.
Authorities instructed centres to allow extra time for candidates delayed by flooding.
The FFWC said Cumilla recorded 174mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours, followed by Bogura (165mm) and Sunamganj's Laurergarh (157mm), while heavy rain also continued upstream in India's Meghalaya, increasing the risk of further rises in river levels.