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Death toll from Bangladesh mudslides rises to 150

Countries
Bangladesh
Sources
UN RC Bangladesh
Publication date

June 15, 2017: Renewed mudslides in south-eastern Bangladesh have claimed additional lives and further damage to homes and infrastructure. Collapsing hillsides and heavy flooding are now estimated to have killed over 150 people across five districts. Rescue and recovery teams continue to face challenging conditions, and the risk of additional landslides remains high. Road and communication networks between the cities of Chittagong, Rangamati and Bandarban remain cut off due to flooding and debris. Hundreds of homes have been buried in mud and rubble, including over 5,000 homes in the Kawkhali upazila of Rangamati district. Local markets do not have reliable access to food and other supplies, especially in remote areas, while telephone communications remain sporadic. Fresh landslides on June 14 have expanded the affected area, killing two people in Cox's Bazaar district, and one in Khagrachari district.

Rangamati, Chittagong and Bandarban districts remain the most severely affected, and are facing acute fuel, electricity and water shortages. In Bandarban District, Lemujuri and Kalaghata upazilas have been the most severely damaged. In Chittagong District, Rangunia and Chandnaish upazilas have also experienced severe flooding. Rangamati district, however, may have been the worst damaged so far. Rangamati is estimated to have suffered over 100 deaths since June 13, primarily in Sadar, Kawkhali, Kaptai, Bilaichhari and Jurachhari upazilas.

800 families in Rangamati and 500 in Bandarban have taken refuge in emergency shelters, including schools and public buildings. Many displaced residents have also received corrugated iron sheets to build emergency shelters. Local authorities have pledged to continue this support until families can safely return home.

382 medical teams across the affected region are working to provide emergency health care to the victims. At least 110 persons have been admitted to local hospitals. Maternal and Child Welfare Centres are open and receiving patients.

The World Health Organization is assessing the health aspects with the Directorate General for Health Services (DGHS) and the National Crisis Management Centre. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), both present and with ongoing development projects in the Chittagong Hill Tract region, are also assessing the situation and preparing for a response.

For more information, contact: Henry Glorieux, Humanitarian Affairs Adviser, henry.glorieux@one.un.org