Waterlogging in Chattogram improves partially

The waterlogging is some parts of Chattogram city improved this afternoon following cessation of rain. Low-lying areas are, however, still under ankle-to-waist deep water.

The authorities closed all educational institutions in Chattogram on Tuesday after a college student, Nipa Palit, died on Monday as she fell into a waterlogged street.

Nipa, a student of Hathazari College, drowned at Nandirhat area under Hathazari upazila while on her way to attend an examination.

As heavy rains and waterlogging disrupted daily life, making it challenging for students and faculty to commute safely in the port city, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education on Monday noon made the announcement to close educational institutions in the port city.

Adding to the city's woes, landslides have also occurred. At Chattogram University's Shahi Colony, a landslide struck early on Monday morning, prompting locals to rescue four members of a family from the affected area.

Road connections between Chattogram and nearby regions, including Bandarban, Rangamati and Cox's Bazar, were severed due to the flooding of road networks. As a result, access to essential services and supplies in the three Chittagong Hill Tracts districts has become severely limited.

The downpour began last Wednesday and shows no signs of relenting, compelling authorities to take measures to evacuate people from hillside areas to safer shelters.

According to the met office, the port city recorded 438 millimetres of rain in the last two days. City residents, marooned in knee-to-waist-deep water, on Monday, said that they had started facing a shortage of clean water and food.

Meanwhile, forecasters issued a warning of further heavy rain in the Chattogram division for the next two days.

Continuous public announcements and efforts by the Chattogram District Administration, Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) were underway to ensure the safety of those affected.

In hilly Bandarban, incessant rains over the past four days till Monday led to a severe flood situation in the district town, leaving nearly 30,000 people marooned, according to UNB.

The most affected areas include Balaghata, Fajr Ali Para, Chairman Para, Police Lines area, Chaigya Mahajan Para, Horticulture area, Lalmiya Char area, Hafezghona, Armypara, Kashem Para, Stadium and Keching Para. These areas remained submerged for at least the past two days.

According to the district administration, landslides in different upazilas damaged nearly 718 homesteads and left six people injured. Until Monday morning, 192mm of rainfall was recorded in 24 hours.

The heavy flooding also caused power supply disruptions in the low-lying areas of Bandarban town.

Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers have been flowing above their danger levels due to the continuous heavy rains, and the flood situation may deteriorate.

The local administration provided boats in various areas to rescue people trapped in the floodwaters.

Kamal Hossain, the general secretary of the district Jeep Car Microbus Workers' Association, said that traffic has been halted on Rowangchhari, Ruma and Thanchi roads since Sunday.

The district administration started providing aid to the affected residents. Dry food and relief items were being distributed to those staying in shelters.

Currently, 193 shelters are open in seven upazilas of Bandarban to assist the victims.

The district administration has allocated 20 metric tonnes of food grains and Tk 1 lakh in cash to address the immediate needs of those affected by the floods. Some 43 medical teams were working in the district on Monday.

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