The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across five districts of the Chattogram Division, warning that the downpour could increase the risk of landslides in hilly areas.
The warning was issued on Tuesday (29 September) and will remain in effect for 48 hours from 6pm. The advisory covers Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Chattogram, where rainfall is expected to intensify under the influence of a land depression over Myanmar and the adjoining north-eastern Bay of Bengal.
According to the weather advisory, rainfall of between 44 and 88 millimetres could occur in some areas during the period. Certain locations may receive more than 88mm, raising concerns over temporary waterlogging and disruption in areas with poor drainage.
The risk is particularly significant in the hilly parts of the five districts. Prolonged or intense rainfall can saturate soil on slopes, making unstable ground more vulnerable to collapse. For people living close to hills, slopes or other potentially unstable terrain, the situation could therefore become hazardous if heavy rain continues.
The warning also highlights the possibility of temporary waterlogging in some hilly areas. Heavy rainfall can quickly overwhelm local drainage systems, particularly where water has limited routes to flow away. Roads passing through hilly terrain may also become difficult to use during periods of intense rain.
The five districts covered by the advisory include several areas where hills, valleys and winding roads are common features of the landscape. Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari are predominantly associated with hilly terrain, while parts of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram also contain slopes and elevated areas vulnerable to heavy rainfall.
Residents in vulnerable locations have been advised to remain alert throughout the warning period. People travelling through hilly areas should exercise caution, particularly during periods of intense rainfall, while those living near slopes should remain aware of changing local conditions.
The weather situation is being linked to the land depression positioned over Myanmar and the adjoining north-eastern Bay of Bengal. Such weather systems can contribute to increased moisture and rainfall over nearby regions, although the intensity and distribution of rain may vary from one location to another.
With the warning covering the next 48 hours from Tuesday evening, authorities and residents in the affected districts are being urged to remain prepared for periods of heavy rainfall. Particular attention is warranted in locations where previous rain has already left soil saturated or drainage conditions are limited.
The meteorological warning does not mean that landslides will occur in every hilly location. However, the combination of heavy to very heavy rainfall and vulnerable terrain has prompted the department to issue a specific caution for possible landslides and temporary waterlogging.
