Flood Tragedy Claims Two Sisters in Cox’s Bazar

Two young sisters have died after a small boat capsised in floodwaters in Rasulabad village of Baraitali Union under Chakaria Upazila in Cox’s Bazar, leaving the local community in mourning.

The victims were identified as Hasnatul Jannat Jharna, 12, and her younger sister Jerin, 7, daughters of local resident Abdul Malek. The tragic incident occurred on Friday, 10 July, as the family attempted to move to safer ground after rising floodwaters inundated their home following persistent heavy rainfall.

According to family members, continuous rain had submerged their homestead during the morning, forcing them to seek shelter in a nearby elevated area. Three sisters boarded a small boat in the hope of reaching safety. As the vessel crossed a section of fast-moving floodwater, it reportedly lost balance in the powerful current and overturned, throwing all three children into the water.

Residents living nearby immediately rushed to the scene after hearing cries for help and launched an emergency rescue effort. Two of the sisters, Sourin Moni and Jerin, were pulled from the water unconscious and in critical condition before being taken to a local hospital for emergency treatment. Jharna, however, was swept away by the strong current and disappeared beneath the floodwater.

News of the accident spread quickly throughout the area, prompting anxious relatives and local residents to gather at the riverbank while rescue efforts continued. A rescue team from the Chakaria Fire Service arrived shortly afterwards and began an extensive search despite difficult conditions created by the strong current and widespread flooding.

After nearly six hours of continuous operations, rescuers recovered Jharna’s body at around 2:00 pm on Friday. Following the completion of the necessary legal formalities, her body was handed over to the grieving family.

Meanwhile, Jerin’s condition deteriorated while she was receiving treatment at hospital. Despite sustained efforts by medical staff to save her life, she died at around 1:00 pm the same day. Her father, Abdul Malek, later confirmed the heartbreaking news, saying the family had lost two daughters within a matter of hours.

Baraitali Union Parishad Chairman Salehuzzaman said the boat had capsised because of the powerful current while the children were crossing floodwater. He noted that local residents managed to rescue two of the sisters alive immediately after the accident, but Jharna could not be saved despite prolonged search efforts. Her body was eventually recovered after several hours of rescue operations.

The incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by communities living in flood-prone areas during Bangladesh’s monsoon season. In many low-lying parts of Cox’s Bazar and elsewhere in the country, heavy rainfall frequently causes widespread flooding and waterlogging, cutting off road communication and forcing residents to rely on small boats as their only means of transport.

Such journeys often become highly dangerous when flood currents intensify, particularly where small or unstable boats are used without adequate safety measures. Local residents said improved emergency transport arrangements, stronger rescue preparedness and safer crossing facilities during natural disasters could help reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies in the future.

The deaths of the two sisters have cast a deep shadow over Rasulabad village. Neighbours, relatives and members of the wider community have expressed profound sorrow and extended their condolences to the bereaved family, whose unimaginable loss has touched people across the area.