Bangladesh Flood Death Toll Reaches 54 with Thousands Stranded

Heavy torrential rains, flash floods, and devastating landslides have claimed at least 54 lives across Bangladesh. According to the latest situational report released on Monday afternoon by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, more than 150,000 families remain completely stranded in their submerged homes. The environmental crisis, triggered by upstream hill torrents and unrelenting downpours, has severely affected seven districts across the country, leaving a total of 609,411 people suffering from the sudden deluge.

The government report identifies Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj as the worst-hit regions. Floodwaters have breached normal boundaries to submerge 334 unions and 12 municipalities across 59 sub-districts (upazilas).

Cox’s Bazar has emerged as the epicentre of the catastrophe, reporting the highest number of casualties and structural damage. Out of the 54 nationwide fatalities, 31 occurred in this coastal district alone. The deceased include 18 local residents and 13 Rohingya refugees who were caught in catastrophic landslides within the makeshift hilltop camps. Furthermore, 24 individuals sustained severe injuries, and one person remains missing amid the debris. Casualties in other areas include 13 deaths in Chattogram, six in the mountainous terrain of Bandarban, three in Rangamati, and one in Moulvibazar.

To manage the massive displacement, local administrations and public representatives have authorised the opening of 1,049 emergency shelter centres. So far, 38,422 vulnerable citizens have taken refuge in these facilities. Chattogram has established the highest number of sanctuaries, housing 16,821 displaced individuals across 415 shelters. Similar rescue operations are underway across the region, with Bandarban operating 220 centres for 5,134 people, Rangamati running 47 centres for 3,487 people, and Cox’s Bazar accommodating 4,131 citizens in seven primary locations. Meanwhile, Moulvibazar has sheltered 1,024 individuals across 14 centres. Interestingly, despite Khagrachhari opening 150 centres, only 74 people have sought refuge there, while Habiganj’s two designated shelters have yet to report any occupants.

In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has mobilised substantial financial and material aid to accelerate the rescue programme. A cumulative total of 8,950 tonnes of rice and 46 million BDT in cash has been allocated across the seven affected districts. Emergency distribution of dry food packets, clean drinking water, and essential medicines remains active.

A breakdown of the government relief deployment indicates that Chattogram received 1,200 tonnes of rice alongside 6.5 million BDT in direct cash assistance. Cox’s Bazar was granted 450 metric tonnes of rice and 3 million BDT, with local authorities already distributing 363 tonnes of grain and 450 dry food packages. Rangamati received an allocation of 500 tonnes of rice and 2.5 million BDT, of which 295 tonnes and 2 million BDT have reached the affected communities. Bandarban’s share stands at 400 tonnes of rice and 2 million BDT, with 68 tonnes and 240,000 BDT disbursed so far. Additionally, Khagrachhari received 400 tonnes of rice and 2 million BDT, Moulvibazar was allocated 200 tonnes of rice and 1 million BDT, and Habiganj received 100 tonnes of rice and 500,000 BDT. To fortify these efforts, the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund has granted an extra 2 million BDT each to the severely isolated hill districts of Rangamati and Bandarban to support local rehabilitation.