As the fire completely burnt down all shops and food depots of the lone market of the area, rice, edible oil, fuel and other essentials were not available in last two days, said U Hla Pru Marma, chairman of Bandarban sadar upazila.

Locals fear an acute food shortage if the government does not ensure immediate supply in the area.

When contacted, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Bishwajit Bhattacharya said they are aware of the situation.

The district administration is holding talks with food traders to solve the problem, he added.

The administration distributed Tk 100 for each affected family on Monday.

Besides, each family was to get an additional Tk 400 and 10 kilograms of rice yesterday, but the relief in cash and kind did not reach Ruma till afternoon.

The homeless people are also cut off from the rest of the country as there is no electricity and communication facilities.

While visiting the spot, this correspondent did not find anything other than the remains of a few burnt buildings.

Smoke was still billowing from the huge pile of ashes.

The fire gutted over 200 shops and 150 houses.

Locals said the army personnel tried their best to save an ancient statue of Lord Buddha and other valuables of the Buddhist temple and necessary documents of the Krishi Bank.

Most of the 30,000 homeless people have now taken shelter at the premises of the bank building and the government primary school.