COX’S BAZAR:  Heavy rain coupled with onrush of hill waters caused flashfloods in at least 50 low-lying villages of Chakaria upazila, including its municipality, leaving hundreds of families marooned.

Two people, including Chakaria Municipal Awami Krishak League president Badiur Rahman, 57, drifted away in floodwater Monday. The other one believed having watery burial was identified as Khalilur Rahman, 22.

One Jasimuddin, 19, was also washed away by floodwater on Sunday night while going to watch World Cup football.

Chakaria Thana OC Jasimuddin told banglanews24.com.bd, “No body could be retrieved yet.”

Shahidul Islam, assistant met officer of Cox’sbazar weather department, said, “We recorded 103 ml rainfall within 12 hours Monday from 6am to 6pm. The torrents of rain and onrush of hill waters from the upstream were causing extensive flooding in low-lying areas of the district.”

The downpour, taking place under the impact of depression over the Bay of Bengal, would last a few more days, he forecast.  

But the precipitation weakened on Tuesday morning, local sources said.

Chakaria upazila chairman Rezaul Karim said, “At least 50 villages in 12 unions of the upazila were submerged by two-/five-foot floodwater.”

BDST: 1115, 13 July 2010