Heavy rainfall destroys Rohingya refugee shelters in Bangladesh

Heavy monsoon rainfall in south-eastern Bangladesh caused landslides and flooding in refugee settlements in Chittagong division.

According to the office of the United Nation High Commissioner for refugees, 350 mm (13.7 inches) of rainfall fell in 72 hours from July 3. Due to the rain, there were 26 landslides in settlement areas which destroyed 273 shelters and injured 11 people. 

UNHCR has relocated 2 137 people as their shelters suffered some amount of damage. Heavy downpours are anticipated throughout next week. 

Other areas have also been affected by south-eastern Bangladesh. The southernmost part in Bangladesh near the Myanmar border recorded 753.6 mm (29.6 inches) from July 1 to July 8, 2019. Teknaf had an average rainfall of 318 mm (12.5 inches).

Lama town in Bandarban district had 209 mm (8.2 inches) of rainfall in 24 hours to July 8, 2019. Flood forecasting and warning center reported that the Sangu River in Dohazari was above warning level at 6.30 m (20.6 feet). The danger point at this level is 7 m (22.9 feet).

In Chittagong division, the Halda river at Narayanhat was above warning level and was at 14.25 m (46.7 feet) where danger level is 15.25 m (50 feet). 

Featured image credit: Burma Task Force