Chattogram is fighting a relentless battle against nature as record-breaking rainfall, swollen rivers, tidal surges, and landslides have brought the port city and surrounding districts to a complete standstill.
In just four days, the region has received 806 millimetres of rain, the highest since 2000, triggering widespread flooding, devastating landslides, multiple fatalities, and severe transport disruptions.
With weather officials warning of further rainfall in the coming days, fears are growing that the humanitarian crisis could deepen significantly.
The torrential downpour, which commenced at 9pm on 4 July, has left parts of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and the three hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban struggling under severe waterlogging and acute disaster risks.
At least eight people have died in rain-related landslides in Cox’s Bazar, whilst two further deaths were reported in Chattogram.
In Chattogram city, Sitakunda, and Rangunia, at least four people, including two young children, were killed in landslides over the past two days, with several others sustaining serious injuries.
The continuous, unrelenting rainfall has also completely disrupted rail connectivity between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.
Around 500 metres of railway track between Sholashahar and Janalihat stations have been completely submerged by the deluge, forcing transport authorities to suspend all train services on the route.
Inspecting the severely affected railway section, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid, said that train movements would remain strictly suspended until the floodwaters recede.
He also announced comprehensive plans to raise the railway track by five feet to mitigate the risk of future operational disruptions.
According to the Patenga Meteorological Office, Chattogram recorded 806mm of rainfall in the four days leading up to 6pm on Wednesday, shattering all previous rainfall records since 2000.
The office forecast that heavy rain may continue until Thursday, although the rainfall intensity is expected to gradually decline from Friday onwards.
However, with the monsoon remaining highly active, further rainfall is highly likely in the days ahead, and authorities have strongly advised people in coastal areas to remain alert under warning signal 3.
The relentless rain has turned large swathes of Chattogram into a chaotic city of stagnant water. Residents of Agrabad, Halishahar, Patenga, Bahaddarhat, Chawkbazar, Muradpur, Bakalia, Sholashahar, Katalganj, and Bandar areas have been facing immense hardship as floodwaters entered homes and businesses.
In some areas, water has risen to knee level, whilst in others, it has reached waist height, making roads nearly impassable and pushing up transport fares.
Mohammad Yasin, a resident of Mohammadpur, described the situation as unbearable, noting that rainwater and drain water have merged, creating severe health risks.
Agrabad resident Sanjida Rubayet expressed deep worry for her children, as waist-deep water on her ground floor left her unable to light her kitchen stove.
Chattogram City Corporation Mayor, Shahadat Hossain, has visited the affected areas, whilst engineering, cleaning, and waste management teams work around the clock to clear drains and restore traffic movement.
As the rain continues, authorities fear further landslides in the hilly areas. The district administration has launched evacuation drives, opening 14 shelters and forming a 101-member rapid response team.
So far, 1,222 people have taken shelter at emergency centres across Chattogram, as the urban drainage systems struggle to cope with nature’s unprecedented assault.
