Cox’s Bazar woke up to its first rain-free morning in nearly eight days on Sunday after more than a week of torrential rainfall and flooding, bringing much-needed relief to flood-affected residents. As floodwaters gradually receded, many people are hoping to return to normal life.
Heavy rainfall over the past week inundated large parts of the district, flooding roads, homes and cropland and leaving hundreds of thousands of people struggling with waterlogging. Many families were forced to take shelter in emergency shelters.
With weather conditions improving, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Saturday withdrew Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 from the seaports of Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Mongla and Payra.
Abdul Hannan, assistant meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office, said no rainfall had been recorded in the district since early Sunday, following several days of continuous heavy rain.
“The absence of rainfall has created the possibility of a gradual improvement in the flood situation,” he said.
According to the meteorological office, rainfall recorded over the past eight days was 28mm on Saturday, 240mm on Sunday, 129mm on Monday, 69mm on Tuesday, 125mm on Wednesday, 99mm on Thursday, 55mm on Friday and 115mm on Saturday.
Local residents said they had endured severe hardship during the prolonged spell of heavy rain. Sunday’s dry morning and improving weather conditions have brought relief, with many expressing hope that the flood situation will continue to improve in the coming days.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
