Dhaka, 09 July (H.S.):
Heavy rainfall in southeastern Bangladesh triggered a landslide that buried a madrasa, killing eight people, including seven schoolgirls and a teacher. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at a girls' Hifz madrasa in Rohingya Camp-5, Block A-3, in Ukhiya, when a hillside collapsed and debris crashed into the building, causing one of its walls to cave in. Around 40 girls were attending classes when the tragedy struck.
According to reports published by Prothom Alo and Dhaka Tribune, rescue teams from the Fire Service, personnel of the Armed Police Battalion, Rohingya volunteers, and other emergency responders carried out an extensive operation and recovered 13 people from the debris by Wednesday evening. Eight of them were declared dead, while five others, who sustained critical injuries, were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said four victims died at the scene, while four others succumbed to their injuries after being taken to hospital. Two of the deceased schoolgirls belonged to the same family.
Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police Siraj Amin said four of the victims have been identified as Rashida Begum (13), Umme Nejatul (13), Umme Salma (12), and Umaisa Bibi (13). Three injured students—Asra Begum (9), Begum Jan (15), and Faresa Bibi (12)—are undergoing treatment at Kutupalong Friendship Hospital. Authorities confirmed that 30 students were rescued safely.
Meanwhile, relentless rainfall has severely worsened conditions across Cox's Bazar. Floodwaters have inundated low-lying areas, bringing transportation to a standstill and significantly increasing the risk of further landslides throughout the district. Local authorities said at least 10 people, including women and children, have died in landslide-related incidents across Cox's Bazar over the past two days. The adverse weather has also claimed lives in Chattogram.
Officials said that in Rangunia, part of a hill collapsed on Tuesday, killing a woman. In Rahman Nagar under Panchlaish Police Station, a young man died after a wall collapsed. On Wednesday morning, a 10-month-old infant was buried under soil and killed in the Jungle Salimpur area of Sitakunda. A separate landslide at Chashma Hill in Panchlaish claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl.
Authorities said Chattogram city alone has 26 highly vulnerable hillsides, of which 16 are government-owned and 10 are privately owned. More than 6,500 families currently live in these high-risk areas.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah said the district administration has divided the vulnerable hills into five monitoring zones. Executive magistrates, Assistant Commissioners (Land), and nearly 150 volunteers have been deployed to oversee the areas. Public announcements are being made to urge residents to avoid staying on unstable hill slopes.
Temporary relief shelters have also been opened in Cox's Bazar for Rohingya families affected by the worsening weather. The severe conditions have disrupted transportation across the region. Railway tracks have been submerged, forcing the suspension of train services on the Chattogram–Cox's Bazar railway line. Ferry services on the Teknaf–Saint Martin's route have also been suspended due to rough seas and high waves.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
