Abdur Rahman ; Local Correspondent , Cox’s Bazar – A catastrophic wave of heavy rainfall has triggered devastating landslides across various parts of Cox’s Bazar district, claiming at least 19 lives.
The continuous downpour over the last few days has caused severe slope failures, collapsing hillsides, and destroying residential walls in both local communities and vulnerable refugee settlements.
According to official updates, the casualties include five local residents and 14 Rohingya refugees.
As torrential rains continue to batter the coastal region, the Cox’s Bazar district administration has launched an emergency operation to relocate hundreds of families living precariously at the foot of unstable hills.
Challenging Evacuations and Administrative Push
The localized downpours have oversaturated the soil, rendering the hilly terrain highly unstable. In response to the escalating danger, local authorities have intensified field operations to move high-risk populations to safety.
However, rescue teams are facing significant resistance from some residents reluctant to abandon their homes.
“It has been raining heavily and intermittently for several consecutive days,” stated Nafis Intesar Nafi, Executive Magistrate of the district administration. “Due to the force of the downpours, landslides are occurring in many places.
Following the afternoon, a special rescue operation was launched to move residents from various vulnerable hills in the Kalatali Hajipara area of Cox’s Bazar city to safe shelters.
Even though those at risk are being requested to head to shelters immediately, many are reluctant to listen. We are explaining the severity of the situation and moving them.”
Beyond Cox’s Bazar city, administrative units and local authorities in other sub-districts (upazilas) are actively using loudspeakers (myking) to warn families in hazardous zones and guide them to designated safety areas.
Emergency Operations and Shelters Ready
All cyclone and disaster shelters across the district have been fully prepared to accommodate displaced individuals and handle any secondary emergencies arising from the weather.
A coordinated joint task force consisting of executive magistrates, Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), fire service personnel, and volunteer groups has been deployed directly to the most critical locations to ensure public safety.
“Executive magistrates, Upazila Nirbahi Officers, and other administrative officials are actively on the ground to relocate residents from vulnerable positions to safe shelters,” confirmed Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director of Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defense. “They are being assisted by the fire service and dedicated volunteer teams.”
With the weather showing little sign of immediate clearance, the risk of secondary landslides remains critical.
The tragedy underscores the chronic vulnerability of southeastern Bangladesh’s hilly regions during the peak monsoon season, especially within the densely packed Rohingya refugee camps.
Moving forward, the priority for the local administration remains the absolute enforcement of evacuations to prevent further loss of life as rescue workers battle the elements on the ground.