Devastating landslides caused by torrential rains in Bangladesh have claimed the lives of at least nine people and forced thousands to seek refuge on higher ground, as reported by AFP. Schools are being used as shelters for those displaced by rising river waters, while over a million people are stranded in northern areas of the country.
Bangladesh, with a population of around 170 million, is considered one of the most vulnerable countries to disasters and climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. Annual monsoon rains lead to widespread destruction, with climate change exacerbating extreme weather events.
Recent landslides in Cox’s Bazar district resulted in the tragic deaths of eight Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and one Bangladeshi. Amir Jafar, a police official, stated that the refugees were buried alive while sleeping in their shelters due to the heavy rains triggering the landslides.
In Sylhet district, over 700,000 people have been affected by flash floods and heavy rains, with an additional 500,000 people impacted in neighbouring Sunamganj district. The situation remains dire as rivers continue to rise, causing further danger to the population.