Bangladesh: Floods and Landslides - Aug 2023

On 7 August, heavy rain triggered flash floods in South-eastern Bangladesh as major rivers flowed far above their danger levels, leaving many areas submerged in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban and Feni. Landslides left four people dead and six injured, and damaged 718 houses. More than 190 temporary shelters have been opened and 43 medical teams mobilised. The government has allocated 20 tons of rice and cash support and BDRCS is intervening via early warning and emergency distributions. In Cox’s Bazar refugees’ camps, 9,237 individuals have been impacted (10 people injured, 2 casualties, 1,192 displaced). More than 1,430 shelters have been damaged and facilities affected. Relocation and emergency response is ongoing. (ECHO, 8 Aug 2023)

Severe damages have been inflicted upon the Chattogram Division (Chittangon), specifically in the districts of Chattogram, Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, and Rangamati, due to heavy rainfall and water flowing down from the hills. The UNOSAT FloodAI Monitoring Dashboard reported a total exposed population of 2.4 million in the four districts between 5 to 10 August 2023, with 1.2 million people affected. The Divisional Health Office Chattogram reported 26 casualties as of 10 August. Humanitarian organizations reported that a staggering 90 per cent of the Bandarban district has been submerged in water. (OCHA, 13 Aug 2023)

Since August 5, continuous monsoon rains have affected Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, and Bandarban. Heavy rainfall, ranging from 44 to 89 mm, led to flash floods and landslides in the Hill Tracts, especially in Bandarban town and nearby areas. 1.3 million people including 630,000 women and 480,000 children (0-19 years old) are affected while 600,000 people are in need of humanitarian assistance in four districts (Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Ragamati, and Bandarban), with 51 deaths reported. Major rivers in the region were overflowing, crippling major transport routes, and resulting in the damage of up to 410 kilometres of roads. (UNICEF, 5 Sep 2023)

In Cox’s Bazar, approximately 538,373 people (including 25,533 in Rohingya camps and 185,200 children) were exposed after the floods and landslides, while nearly 85,500 people (3,500 children and 3,974 Rohingya refugees) were displaced and sheltered in temporary flood shelters. (UNICEF, 25 Sep 2023)

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the cyclonic storm “Hamoon”, accompanied by heavy rain started to make landfall on Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar coast of Bangladesh on Tuesday, 24 October 2023 evening and completed crossing the coast at 1:00 am on Wednesday. 25 October 2023. Information received from different areas of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram indicates that cyclone Hamoon caused damage to several houses and uprooted many trees. The power supply in Cox’s Bazar town was disrupted as soon as the tip of the cyclone started to enter the coast, leaving the area in a terrifying situation dominated by roaring winds and pouring rain. Cyclone Hamoon which had strengthened to an extremely severe cyclone, weakened before the landfall on 24 October evening. However, it was strong enough to cause damage and forced more than 273,000 people to take refuge in cyclone shelters or safer places. Media reported the death of three people in Cox’s Bazar due to crushed under walls and trees. In some parts of Cox’s Bazar, there is still no electricity, and the internet connection is down. (BDRCS, 26 Oct 2023)