Landslides, triggered by heavy rains, killed at least 76 people and buried hillside homes in the south-eastern port city of Chittagong on Monday. More than 100 people were injured and scores of others are missing.
While Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Mokhlesur Rahman confirmed the death of only 36 people, unofficial figures place the toll at much higher numbers.
The commissioner said 61 people were rescued with injuries.
The Army, police, and local people ratcheted up rescue efforts and sent out alerts by loudspeakers, asking people to move to safety, away from the hills.
Air communication between Chittagong and other parts of the country has been suspended due to torrential rains. Loading and unloading in the Chittagong Port halted for four hours. Kalurghat radio station suspended its operations as it went under 6-ft-deep water.
Water levels as high as 5-6 feet was flowing at several points, including Bahaddarhat bus terminal area, Nasirabad Industrial area and Station Road.
“We haven’t seen in our lifetime such a flooding in Chittagong city,” said 50-year-old Amir Hossain. “We have faced tidal bores, but not flooding.”
Hill collapse
A source said over telephone that parts of a hill collapsed on a shantytown near the Chittagong Cantonment killing 23 people and burying dozens of bamboo and straw shacks. At least 13 people were buried in the Batali Hill area, he said. Five members of a family died when the walls of their brick home collapsed in heavy rains on the Chittagong University campus. Other affected areas were Mati Jharna, Bayezid Bostami mazar and Pahartali where 11 people were buried.
Four others, including a young mother and her toddler, were killed when the walls of their houses collapsed, and a policeman was electrocuted when he stepped on a snapped electric wire.
Some 19 people died in mudslides at Lebupara in Hathazari upazila and seven in Bhatiari Sekander Colony. The Met Office recorded 125.6 mm rainfall in the port city from Sunday evening till 9 am on Monday.
Meanwhile, waters were flowing above the danger-level in Sunamganj and Habiganj in Sylhet region.
