Five killed in Bandarban landslides

At least five people, including three members of the same family, were killed in two separate landslides triggered by incessant rainfall in Lama upazila of Bandarban early Thursday (July 9).

The incidents occurred at Mission Para (Paglir Jiri) in Aziznagar Union, where continuous downpours have significantly increased the risk of landslides across the district.

In one of the landslides, Md Yunus, his wife Ranu Akter, and their five-year-old son Md Soleman were buried under debris and killed.

In a separate landslide in the same area, Md Jewel and his wife Kulsum Akter also lost their lives.

According to police and local sources, residents rushed to the scene after hearing cries for help following the landslides. Fire Service personnel and police later conducted a joint rescue operation and recovered all five bodies.

Confirming the incidents, Bandarban Superintendent of Police Md Wahabul Islam Khandaker said two separate landslides in the same locality claimed the lives of five people, including a child.

"The bodies have been recovered, and necessary legal procedures are underway," he said.

Meanwhile, continuous rainfall has sharply increased the risk of further landslides across Lama and other parts of Bandarban. Floodwaters have inundated new areas, disrupting normal life and road communications.

Authorities have urged residents living in landslide-prone areas to move to designated shelters as a precaution.

Persistent rainfall has also disrupted electricity supply and mobile network services in several upazilas, compounding the hardships faced by local residents.