Floods in Chattogram region: Death toll rises to 44

Continuous heavy rainfall, flash floods from the hills, and landslides have further worsened the flood situation in various parts of the country including five districts of Chattogram division as the death toll from flooding and landslides rose to 44 on Saturday, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said.

The floods have also affected the districts of Moulvibazar and Habiganj, according to the ministry's latest situation report released at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.

More than one million people from approximately 265,000 families remain stranded, while nearly 45,000 people have taken shelter in 1,131 government-designated flood shelters.

Cox's Bazar has recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 23 deaths, including 13 Rohingya refugees. Chattogram reported 11 deaths, followed by Bandarban with six, Rangamati with three, and Moulvibazar with one.

According to the ministry, the floods have affected 58 upazilas (sub-districts), 386 unions, and 11 municipalities.

Thousands of homes, croplands, educational institutions, and roads have been submerged, while shortages of food and safe drinking water have intensified the suffering of flood-affected communities.

The Ministry of Education on Saturday postponed all three Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations across all districts under its jurisdiction until June 16. 

Meanwhile, the Bandarban district administration has announced the closure of all tourist destinations in the district until July 15 due to persistent heavy rainfall, landslide risks, and public safety concerns. The decision was announced on Friday night through a public notice signed by Deputy Commissioner Md. Saniul Ferdous.

Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin on Saturday said the government is working with the highest level of commitment and responsibility under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's directives to ensure rescue, relief and rehabilitation for flood-affected people across the country.

Briefing reporters at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), he said the Prime Minister has been monitoring the flood situation round the clock and coordinating the government's response through officials at both the national and local levels.

The PMO spokesperson said Tarique Rahman is also scheduled to meet all divisional commissioners on Sunday to review the situation and provide further directives.

"The Prime Minister has directed us to work simultaneously on rescue, relief and rehabilitation. During this disaster, everyone must stand united," he said.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), four rivers across six districts are currently flowing above their respective danger levels. These include the Sangu River at Bandarban and Dohazari, the Khowai River at Ballah in Habiganj, the Manu River in Moulvibazar, and the Kushiyara River at Markuli in Sunamganj and Fenchuganj in Sylhet.

The FFWC has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chattogram over the next 24 hours, followed by Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh divisions over the subsequent two days, increasing the risk of fresh flooding in vulnerable areas.

While flood conditions in parts of Bandarban, Chattogram, and Cox's Bazar are expected to improve gradually as water levels in the Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers continue to recede, the FFWC warned that the Muhuri, Feni, Selonia, and Halda rivers may rise again within the next 48 hours. 

Temporary inundation is also likely in low-lying areas of Lakshmipur and Noakhali.