Floods and landslides kill 51, affect more than 1 million in Bangladesh
Floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall have killed 51 and affected more than 1 million people in Bangladesh since last week, according to the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.
Satellite image acquired at 09:50 UTC on July 12, 2026. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued a Special Warning Bulletin for Landslide at 20:00 BST on July 9, warning that a well-marked low over northwest Madhya Pradesh and adjoining areas in India, together with a strong monsoon over the North Bay, would bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Chattogram, Rangamati, and Khagrachhari from July 10 to 12. BMD forecast accumulated rainfall of 200 to 500 mm (7.9–19.7 inches) over the districts.
Before the peak warning period, BMD recorded 223 mm (8.8 inches) of rain in Chattogram, 169 mm (6.7 inches) in Teknaf, 106 mm (4.2 inches) in Rangamati, and 89 mm (3.5 inches) in Cox’s Bazar during the 24 hours ending at 18:00 BST on July 9. The bulletin advised evacuation from hilly slopes and high-risk areas to designated shelters, warning that flash floods could occur alongside landslides near rivers and streams.
On July 12, the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry said rivers in two of Bangladesh’s four major river basins had surpassed danger levels and reported 267 918 families were marooned across Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, and Chattogram in Chattogram Division, and Moulvibazar and Habiganj in Sylhet Division.
Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) reported three rivers above danger level at five stations in five districts: the Sangu River at Bandarban and Dohazari in Chattogram, the Kushiyara at Markuli in Sunamganj and Fenchuganj in Sylhet, and the Someswari at Khalmakanda in Netrokona.
The Chattogram divisional commissioner’s office reported approximately 80 000 homesteads, 344 educational institutions, 3 840 km (2 386 miles) of roads, and 339 bridges and culverts damaged by the deluge. Across Chattogram Division, 408 unions and municipalities in 11 districts were affected, with 34 723 people sheltering there out of the nationwide shelter figure reported by the ministry.
Chattogram district had the widest administrative exposure in the divisional breakdown, with 176 unions and municipalities affected. Cox’s Bazar had 74, Rangamati 42, Khagrachhari 41, and Bandarban 36. Cox’s Bazar recorded 28 deaths attributed to floods and related landslides, while Chattogram district recorded 13 deaths, according to the ministry-linked report.
In a report published at 16:07 on July 12, FFWC warned that several districts in northern, northeastern, and southeastern Bangladesh could experience short-term flooding over the next 24 to 48 hours as river levels continued to rise. The Surma, Kushiyara, Sarigowain, Jadukata, Someshwari, and Bhugai-Kangsha rivers could rise under heavy to very heavy rainfall over Sylhet and adjoining Assam and Meghalaya in India.
In southeastern Bangladesh, the Muhuri, Feni, Selonia, and Halda rivers could overflow in parts of Feni, Chattogram, and Khagrachhari, while low-lying areas of Lakshmipur and Noakhali could also experience temporary flooding.
FFWC flood situation could worsen in parts of Sylhet and Sunamganj over 24 to 72 hours, while conditions were forecast to improve in parts of Bandarban, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj as the Sangu, Matamuhuri, Manu, Dhalai, and Khowai rivers receded.
July falls within Bangladesh’s South Asian monsoon period, when heavy rainfall, river flooding, flash floods, and landslides are in-season hazards.
References:
1 Situation Report 3: Monsoon Triggered Heavy Rainfall – BDRCS – July 12, 2026
2 Special Warning Bulletin for Landslide – BMD – July 9, 2026
3 BGD: Flood – 07-2026 – SITUATION REPORT-5, MONSOON DEPRESSION IN COX’S BAZAR #4 – IFRC – July 12, 2026
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