Floods, landslides in Cox's Bazar leave 32 dead, damage 1,613 homes

After nine days of heavy rainfall, floodwaters in Cox's Bazar began receding on Monday, July 13, as no significant rain was recorded from Sunday night through Monday morning. The district administration has published a preliminary damage assessment, with officials stating that the actual scale of damage will become clearer after on-the-ground verification once waters fully recede.

According to the initial assessment, extensive damage has been caused across multiple sectors, including loss of life, homes, agriculture, fisheries, road networks and embankments.

Cox's Bazar Weather Office Assistant Meteorologist Abdul Hannan said a total of 823mm of rainfall was recorded over nine days from July 4 to July 12, with only 4mm recorded in the 24 hours leading up to Monday evening.

Of the district's 71 unions, 69 were flooded, along with four of five municipalities. Approximately 49 per cent of the district area was submerged, leaving over 250,000 people marooned. Pekua upazila was the worst-hit, with about 95 per cent of its area flooded, followed by Matamuhuri (85 percent), Chakaria (80 percent), Kutubdia (65 percent) and Maheshkhali (50 percent).

The administration confirmed 32 deaths, including 13 Rohingya, from landslides and flood-related incidents. One person remains missing. Ukhia upazila reported the highest number of casualties, with 14 deaths, including 13 Rohingya. Six died in Chakaria, three in Cox's Bazar Sadar, three in Ramu, two in Pekua, and one each in Matamuhuri, Maheshkhali and Kutubdia.

A total of 1,613 homes were damaged, with Pekua recording the highest (450), followed by Chakaria (300), Kutubdia (250), Maheshkhali (200), Matamuhuri (190), Teknaf (100), Ukhia (50), Idgaon (30), Ramu (25) and Cox's Bazar Sadar (18).

The fisheries sector suffered an estimated loss of Tk 46.22 crore, with 3,918 ponds and 453 shrimp farms damaged across 61 unions. Some 1,007 tonnes of fish and 385 tonnes of shrimp were destroyed, along with fish and shrimp fry.

Agriculture losses included 4,211 hectares of crops, affecting 43,210 farmers. Damage to roads totalled 2,048 kilometres, along with 79 bridges and culverts. Thirty educational institutions were also damaged, most severely in Pekua and Kutubdia.

A total of 1,580 people took shelter in 618 centres over the nine days. Relief distributed included 7,790 packets of dry food and 298 tonnes of rice. The administration has requested additional relief from the relevant ministry.