20,000 people in 12 areas at risk of landslides

Cox’s Bazar Correspondent:

Continuous heavy rainfall has left thousands of people stranded in floodwaters in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar, with the upazila administration urging residents living in hill areas to move to safe places.

Rainfall from Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning also submerged farmlands and shrimp farms, making farmers anxious.

Over 5,000 people from 2,500 families in villages Hnila union and Subrang union were facing waterlogging.

Additionally, 20,000 people in 12 areas were at risk of landslides in Teknaf municipality.

Md Zobair, who lives near a hill, said: “We are living in fear due to continuous rain. We spend sleepless nights during this time. At other times, we do not feel this scared… Announcements are being made asking us to evacuate the area.”

A resident of Rongikhali Lamar Para, Nur Bahar, said: “Water has entered our house, submerging everything. Since morning, we have only been eating puffed rice. No one has come to check on us. There are 35 families around us, all of whom have their homes submerged.”

Noting that heavy rain had flooded many villages, Hnila resident Md Sheikh Russel said the local administration had not provided any prior warning about the rainfall.

Rashed Mohammad Ali, chairman of Hnila union parishad, said: “More than 3,000 people from four villages in my area are marooned due to heavy rain. The sluice gate of the border road has not allowed rainwater to flow out adequately, causing these areas to flood.”

Md Selim, member of ward No 1 of Subrang union parishad, said the occupation of drains and canals had blocked water flow, causing this dire situation.

Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md Adnan Chowdhury said the upazila administration was monitoring the situation.

“There is a risk of landslides due to excessive rain, which is why we are asking the residents of risky areas to relocate. Fatalities from landslides can be avoided if they move to shelters.”