2 more die in rain-induced landslide

Two people were killed in a fresh landslide in Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar yesterday. Bodies of 11 others, who were washed away by flood water on Thursday, were found in Ramu and Chakaria upazilas in the last two days.

At least 21 people have lost their lives in landslides, by drowning, or other rain-related incidents in the district over the last few days in Cox's Bazar.

Masuda Khatun, 45, and his daughter Shahana Akter, 13, of Baharchhara union in Teknaf upazila died when a big             chunk of earth from a hill fell on their house early yesterday, Md Zahangir  Alam, district relief and rehabilitation officer, told our Cox's Bazar correspondent.

A bulldozer, clears the landslide affected Rowangchhari-Bandarban road in Bandarban. Photo: Banglar Chokh

The bodies of Kamrun Nahar, 20, and Tarika Hasnat, 4, of Garjania village in Ramu upazila; and Shafiul Alam, 30, of Dulahazara village, and Kaital Bin Rahim, 14, of Kakara village in Chakaria upazila were recovered on Friday night and yesterday.

Cox's Bazar has been hit by incessant rain for the last five days. The rainfall may continue for the next two days, said Met office sources.

On Friday, at least 10 people were killed in flash floods and landslides, triggered by torrential rains in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban.

A house, submerged in flood water in Cox's Bazar sadar. Photo: Banglar Chokh

The Cox's Bazar Met office recorded 674 milimetres of rain in 60 hours till Friday 6:00pm, highest in the district in four decades, said meteorologist AKM Najmul Haque.

The district administration has allocated 150 tonnes of rice and a cash amount of Tk 11 lakh for the affected people.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Anupam Saha of Cox's Bazar said families of each of the dead would be given Tk 20,000.

Rickshaws, wading through waist-deep water on a road in Banglabazar of Cox's Bazar. Photo: Banglar Chokh

Many people have been marooned by flash floods in all upazilas of the district. About one lakh people took shelter at cyclone centres, he added.

Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila, Ramu, Pekua and Chakaria were badly affected by downpours.

Big chunks of earth from nearby hills blocked the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf marine drive road and a part of it was submerged at Kolatali point, disrupting traffic.

Water level rising, threatening to be level with a bridge, on the Dhaka-Cox's Bazar highway in Cox's Bazar. Photo: Banglar Chokh

Around 80 percent area of Ramu and Pekua upazilas went under water. Five out of 10 unions in Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila have been inundated.

Traffic on the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar highway declined sharply in the last three days.

There is hardly any tourist now in the country's most popular tourist destination. Hotel staff in the town have been passing time idly.