- Introduction:
On 11 June 2007 morning, a series of devastating terrible landslides and flash flood triggered by torrential rain in different areas of hilly Chittagong district and due to continuous heavy rainfall created flash floods in different part of the country. The victimized people living in the foothills were washed away by the mud-mixed rainwater rushing down the hills.
- Casualty figure:
Though exact number is not known, it is estimated that the death toll rises over 100 and injured more than 60. Casualty figure may be more after completing search & rescue operations. Of the casualties, 63 people died at Hathazari upazila including lemon garden , 11 in Pahartoli kancha bazaar, , 8 in Bhatiari Sekendar Colony area, 10 in Lalkhanbazar, 12 in Soraipara, 5 in Chittagong University campus, 1 in Potia(lightning) and 10 in Hospital . The data provided by Control room, CS office, Chittagong.
- Reasons behind landslides:
Now-a-days landslides have become regular phenomena in hilly areas of Chittagong due to failure to stop the illegal cutting of hills for housing and another business. Also the monsoonal heavy rainfall makes the area vulnerable for this type of accident.
- Rescue Operations:
Police, BDR, army, firefighters, local administration, Red Crescent, Health volunteers and other NGO agencies have been searching to find survivors after the tragic incident but the rescue operation is being hampered due to unfavorable weather such as heavy torrential rainfall, flooding and lack of equipment.
- Flash floods in the Country:
The low-lying areas of Netrokona, Sunamgonj, Habigonj, Bogra, Kurigram, Chandpur and Feni districts have been flooded due to incessant rain over the last three days causing several thousand people marooned.
- Cautionary signal:
Right now, maritime seaports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla is still hosting cautionary signal No-3, as advised by the meteorological department.
- Respond from WHO:
The WHO Country Office through its Emergency Humanitarian Action (EHA) program is monitoring the situation and providing technical support in collaboration with the Line Director EPR, DGHS for management and support for the victims and had meetings, tale conversations with the health personnel and district Civil surgeons and also providing support to the NGOs and UN agencies on health sector management. The WHO IVD program's EPI-SMOs are liaising with the district and upazilla health officials for collection of reports and any immediate health needs.
- Respond from Government Health Sector
Director General, DGHS already visited in Chittagong disaster affected area to monitor the health sector initiatives and activities. The DGHS Control Room and all CS office in districts have been alerted for monitoring the situation at 24/7 period and formed significant number of Medical Teams to tackle the health problem, although no scarcity of emergency drugs and medical supplies have been reported yet in any part of the country.
PREPARED BY:
BAN-EHA Team,
WHO-NDSC Office
IEDCR BUILDING, MOHAKHALI, DHAKA: 1212
TEL: +88 01199816016, +88 01713004166
EMAIL: AKRAMK@SEARO.WHO.INT