Heavy rainfall across Bangladesh in recent days has resulted in at least 51 deaths and displaced over a million people, according to official figures. Widespread flooding and landslides have impacted numerous regions including the capital Dhaka, where streets have flooded to knee level in some areas and traffic has been disrupted. Thousands of residents have been rendered homeless by the disaster and are currently sheltering in government facilities.
Cox’s Bazar district has been hit particularly hard, accounting for 28 of the reported deaths. The district is home to the world’s largest refugee settlement, containing more than a million Rohingya refugees. Among those killed in recent days were several students and a teacher who died when floodwaters inundated their school in the district.
Bangladesh’s geographical position as a low-lying nation with numerous rivers makes it susceptible to seasonal monsoon flooding. However, climate scientists and experts have cautioned that climate change is intensifying rainfall patterns and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events in the region. Authorities responded to the deteriorating conditions by issuing flood and landslide warnings, evacuating residents from high-risk areas, and postponing student examinations.
The rainfall, which began over a week ago, has continued to affect various parts of the country. Officials from the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre indicated that conditions in the southeastern region were expected to improve in the near term. Nevertheless, forecasters warned of the possibility of additional flooding as monsoon activity persists across the northeastern and northern portions of the country.