At Least 55 Killed In August Floods Ravaging Bangladesh

Floods and landslides caused by two weeks of torrential rains have killed at least 55 people and affected over a million people in southeast Bangladesh.

The extent of the casualties could not be determined until the floodwaters receded.

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Floods and landslides caused by two weeks of relentless torrential rains have claimed the lives of at least 55 people and affected over a million individuals in southeast Bangladesh, according to officials cited by the news agency AFP on Sunday. The catastrophe has led to widespread destruction and displacement in the region.

Authorities from the worst-hit districts reported a grim toll, revealing that the flooding and landslides had caused 21 casualties in Cox's Bazar, 19 in Chittagong, 10 in Bandarban, and five in Rangamati since August 1, the report said. 

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department's chief, Azizur Rahman, described the recent deluge as "some of the heaviest rains in recent years," according to the report. On August 7 alone, an astonishing 312 millimetres (12 inches) of rainfall was recorded, underscoring the intensity of the natural disaster, it added. 

The unrelenting rain continued until August 11, causing flash floods that caused rivers to burst their banks and inundate hundreds of villages throughout the region. The extent of the casualties could not be determined until the floodwaters receded, officials told AFP. 

The summer monsoon, which accounts for roughly 80% of annual rainfall in South Asia, brings both sustenance and devastation to the region. Climate scientists blame climate change for the monsoon's increasing strength and unpredictability. The combination of deforestation and hillside construction has exacerbated the impact of flash floods.

Cox's Bazar, where around 600,000 people were affected by the floods, has been especially hard hit. The district is home to a significant population of Rohingya refugees who fled a military crackdown in Myanmar. At least 21 people lost their lives in Cox's Bazar, including four Rohingyas who fell victim to a landslide, as per the report. 

The report also said that the disaster wreaked havoc in Chittagong, Bangladesh's second-largest city, which experienced some of the worst flooding in decades. Around 19 people have died as a result of the floods, which have affected approximately 450,000 people.

Other areas, such as the Bandarban and Rangamati hill districts, experienced similar difficulties. A major flash flood killed at least ten people in Bandarban, while five people were killed in the Rangamati district.

Bangladeshi authorities have responded by sending food and relief supplies to affected areas. Despite these efforts, five people are still missing. A senior government official in the Chattogram region (formerly Chittagong) reassured the public that the government is "doing everything in its power to support people" during this difficult time, the report said.