Heavy Rains and Flash Floods Leave 51 Dead in Bangladesh

At least 51 people have lost their lives and more than a million have been affected by intense rainfall in Bangladesh in recent days. Thousands have lost homes as flash floods and landslides hit large parts of the country, including the capital Dhaka.

A significant portion of the fatalities occurred in Cox’s Bazar, home to a large Rohingya refugee population. Last week, several students and a teacher were killed when floodwaters swept through their school.

Bangladesh is a low‑lying country riddled with rivers, frequently experiencing heavy rain and floods during its monsoon season. Experts warn that climate change has made rainfall more intense and frequent.

The heavy rain began over a week ago, and authorities warned of potential floods and landslides, evacuated families in high‑risk zones, and postponed student exams. Thousands are now sheltering in government‑run accommodations.

As of Sunday, more than 1 million people have been impacted by the rains. Twenty‑eight of the 51 deaths have been reported in Cox’s Bazar, underscoring the vulnerability of the Rohingya community.

In Dhaka, traffic has slowed as residents report waterlogged streets, with water reaching knee‑level in some areas. Local media questioned the government’s earlier attempts to repair drainage systems in the capital.

Sarder Udoy Raihan of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre told AFP that the southeastern region may see improvements soon, but further inundation remains possible as the monsoon continues to affect northeastern and northern Bangladesh.