The flood situation in Chakaria and newly formed Matamuhuri upazilas of Cox’s Bazar has deteriorated significantly, with two children drowning in separate incidents on Thursday.
The fatalities occurred as five days of incessant rainfall and onrushing water from the hills submerged vast residential areas across both upazilas, leaving the region heavily inundated. These two deaths brought the day’s total death toll in the area to four.
One of the victims was identified as two-year-old Wakim from the Maij Kakara area in Ward No. 4 of Kakara Union, Chakaria. He drowned at approximately 5pm. Earlier that morning, at around 11:30am, three-year-old Pushpo died after falling into floodwaters in Charpara area of Ward No. 3 in Konakhali Union, Matamuhuri.
According to local sources and the victims’ families, rapid influx of floodwater into the locality quickly inundated village roads, yards, and homes.
Both children reportedly fell into deep water near their residences without the knowledge of their family members. Following a search, they were recovered unconscious and rushed to Chakaria Government Hospital, where duty doctors pronounced them dead.
The tragedies have left the families in mourning and cast a shadow of grief over neighbouring communities.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shaheen Delowar in charge of Chakaria and Matamuhuri, said bodies of the two children had been recovered. He added that cash assistance has been provided to the families of these two children, as well as to the families of two other individuals who were killed in landslides.
