5 killed in landslide as rain wreaks havoc

At least five people were killed in landslides in Cox’s Bazar and at least 50 new villages went under water on Monday as the people of most of the areas in south-eastern region of the country continued to suffer because of heavy monsoons.

People from different corners of the affected areas reported that the incessant rain of the past few days aggravated their woes because of lack of job while their houses became waterlogged.
The waters have washed away their ponds and fishery enclosures and damaged their standing crops as they were under water for past few days, they said.
They said that they were suffering because of shortage of food and safe drinking water while the poor at places were in need of food.
Reports received from Narayanganj and Munshiganj said that authorities suspended movement of launches because of inclement weather
forcing passengers to suffer and wait at launch terminals.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of Bangladesh Water Development Board, referring to information of Bangladesh Metrological Department, forecasted on Monday morning that the flood situation in some areas of Feni, Bandarban, Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar districts might further deteriorate in next 24 hours.
The data show that water was flowing above danger levels at Kanaighat point of Surma river, Amalsind and Sheola points of Kushiara river, at Jhikorgachha point of Kabodak river, at Parshuram point of Muhuri river, at Narayanghat point of Halda river, at Bandarban and Dohazari points of Sangu river and at Lama and Chiringa points of Matamuhuri river.
Met office forecasted at 6:00pm on Monday that heavy to very heavy rainfalls was likely at places over Chittagong, Khulna and Barisal divisions and moderately heavy at places over Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Sylhet divisions in next 24 hours.
The met office recorded 164 millimetres of rain in M Court in 24 hours ending 6:00pm on Monday as the highest rainfall in the country. It also recorded 76mm rain in Chittagong, 102mm in Feni, 73mm in Cox’s Bazaar, 62mm in Bandarban, 112mm at Chandpur and 134mm in Teknaf during the time.
New Age correspondent in Cox’s Bazar reported that five people were killed and five others were injured in a landslide in Radar House hill area in Cox’s Bazar town on early Monday.
The deceased were identified as Lutfonnahar Junu, 25, her daughter Niha Moni, 6, Bangladesh
Awami Bastuhara League’s Cox’s Bazar district
general secretary Saha Alam, 45, his wife Rokeya Begum, 35, and their niece Rina Akter, 20.
Five others – Samira Akter, 20, Mohammad Ayeat, 12, Noor Nabi, 28, and Mohammad Safayeat, 20, and an unknown one – were rescued from the place alive and were admitted to Cox’s Bazar sadar hospital.
At least 20 residents remained missing, locals said.
New Age correspondent in Chittagong reported that heavy downpour since July 23 had left major thoroughfares in Chittagong city in a dilapidated state with numerous potholes and craters which were causing immense sufferings to commuters.
Ongoing construction of two flyovers under the Chittagong Development Authority on two major roads – Station Road and Muradpur-Sholashahar Road – is even worsening the situation. The construction materials and equipment piled up on the roads do not let the rainwater easily to flash out resulting in waterlogging.
The most battered roads were seen in Muradpur, Sholoshahar, CDA Avenue, Wasa, Lalkhan Bazar to Tigerpass, Sheikh Mujib Road and Agrabad Barik Building areas.
It was also seen that piles of sand and mud occupying a major portion of another affected road at Kadamtali. Locals in Bahaddarhat, Cornel Hat, Mogoltuli, Sirajuddollah Road, Batali Road, Telpotti Road, Zakir Hossain Road and Kapasgola Road areas are also going through the same ordeal.
New Age correspondent in Feni, referring to local upazila and union parishad chairmen, reported that at least 50 new villages became waterlogged in Feni Sadar and Dagonbhuian upazilas in the district because of rain, onrush of hill water, overflow of the rivers and breaching of embankments at five separate points.
For the past three days, Feni district town has been witnessing severe waterlogging.
Ferry service of Bhola-Lakshmipur route came to a halt on Monday for the erosion of the road to Elisha Ferry Ghat area by the Meghna river in Bhola Sadar upazila on Monday morning, reported United News of Bangladesh.
Locals said that all types of traffic on the road came to a halt as it was totally damaged because of erosion caused by the strong waves of the Meghna.
Maritime ports in Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal no three following a monsoon depression over North Bay.
Reports received from Munshiganj said that Launch and speed-boat services on Shimuliya-Kawrakandi route remained suspended for the second day for inclement weather.
New Age correspondent in Narayanganj reported that authorities had suspended movement of all types of launches from Narayanganj launch terminal from Monday morning until further order because of inclement weather.