Heavy rains, flash floods kill 51 as over one million affected in Bangladesh

Heavy rains, flash floods kill 51 as over one million affected in Bangladesh

At least 51 people have lost their lives and more than one million people have been affected after days of relentless monsoon rains, flash floods and landslides battered Bangladesh, leaving thousands homeless and forcing mass evacuations across several parts of the country.

The devastating floods have submerged communities in multiple districts, including the capital Dhaka, where flooded streets, traffic congestion and overwhelmed drainage systems have disrupted economic activities and daily life.

According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, thousands of families have been displaced, with many taking refuge in government shelters as emergency responders continue rescue and relief operations.

Officials said the death toll could still rise as search-and-rescue teams continue to reach isolated communities cut off by floodwaters and damaged infrastructure.

The worst-hit area is Cox’s Bazar, where 28 of the 51 fatalities have been recorded. The southeastern district is home to more than one million Rohingya refugees, making it the world’s largest refugee settlement.

The severe weather has significantly worsened conditions in the refugee camps, where landslides and flooding have damaged shelters, blocked access roads and disrupted the delivery of food, clean water and medical supplies.

Last week, the disaster claimed the lives of several students and a teacher after floodwaters swept through their school in Cox’s Bazar, underscoring the growing dangers posed by the heavy rains.

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Before the flooding intensified, Bangladesh’s disaster management authorities had issued warnings about possible floods and landslides, prompting the evacuation of residents living in vulnerable communities.

Educational authorities also postponed public examinations in several districts to safeguard students and school personnel as the weather deteriorated.

In Dhaka, residents reported widespread flooding, with water rising to knee level in several neighbourhoods and causing severe traffic disruptions.

The flooding has also renewed concerns over the capital’s drainage infrastructure, with local media questioning the effectiveness of previous government investments aimed at improving flood management in the rapidly growing city.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), water levels in several rivers remain above danger levels, although conditions in parts of southeastern Bangladesh are expected to improve gradually.

However, forecasters warned that continuing monsoon rainfall across the northeastern and northern regions could trigger additional flooding in the coming days, increasing the risk to already affected communities.

Emergency responders, including the Bangladesh Army, Fire Service and Civil Defence, police personnel and volunteers, have been deployed to rescue stranded residents, evacuate vulnerable families and distribute food, clean drinking water, medicines and other relief materials.

Authorities said numerous roads, bridges and embankments have been damaged, making access to several flood-hit communities difficult and slowing humanitarian operations.

Health officials have also raised concerns over the growing risk of waterborne diseases, including cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid, due to contaminated water supplies and overcrowded temporary shelters.

The government has urged residents living in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant, monitor official weather advisories and comply with evacuation orders where necessary.

Bangladesh experiences seasonal flooding during its annual monsoon season, but climate experts say the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have increased due to climate change, rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.

As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, Bangladesh continues to face recurring floods, cyclones and river erosion that threaten millions of lives and livelihoods every year.

International humanitarian organisations, including United Nations agencies and aid groups working in the Rohingya refugee camps, are supporting relief efforts by providing emergency assistance to affected families.

Authorities said damage assessments are ongoing as rescue workers continue searching for missing persons and delivering humanitarian aid to flood-affected communities across the country.

Heavy rains, flash floods kill 51 as over one million affected in Bangladesh