Continuous heavy rainfall and hill runoff over the past week have triggered severe waterlogging in at least 40 villages across Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar, leaving around 50,000 people stranded. Low-lying homes and roads have been submerged, causing immense hardship for residents while raising concerns about potential landslides in the hilly areas.
According to local representatives, the affected villages include 8 in Hoi Khong Union, 7 in Hnila Union, 5 in Teknaf Municipality, 5 in Teknaf Sadar Union, 7 in Shabrang Union, and 8 in Baharchhara Union. Houses, earthen roads, and vegetable fields in these areas are submerged, disrupting daily life and livelihoods.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin stated that approximately 50,000 people have been marooned due to the flooding. “We have already evacuated around 500 people from the most severely affected families to shelters, where the administration is providing regular food supplies,” he said.
He further noted that once the rainfall subsides, the water usually recedes quickly due to the proximity of the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal. However, with the risk of landslides looming, authorities have been using loudspeakers to urge residents living at the base of hills to evacuate to safer areas.
Meanwhile, due to the ongoing heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions, boat services between Teknaf and Saint Martin’s Island remain suspended. Authorities have declared the sea route unsafe due to high waves and strong winds.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Collected
