Flash floods, landslides kill 23 in Bangladesh

DHAKA, June 29, (Agencies): At least 23 people have died in flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains that lashed southeastern Bangladesh, officials said on Sunday.

Tens of thousands of people were marooned on higher ground as flood waters submerged areas around Cox’s Bazar and the hilly district of Bandarban.

Local police official Habibur Rahman confirmed the toll to reporters after four more bodies were recovered from a river on Sunday.

Bangladesh — one of the world’s most densely populated countries — is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including cyclones, droughts, floods and earthquakes.

India, Bangladesh and China are most at risk from river floods, with an increasing number of people threatened because of climate change and economic growth in low-lying regions, a study said in March.

Meanwhile, the pilot of the F-7 fighter, Flight Lieutenant ‘Tahmid’, is reported missing, Chittagong airport’s manager Wing Commander Nur E Alam told bdnews24.com. The F-7 was used as a training aircraft. The control tower lost contact with the aircraft at 11:10 am. At 11:45 am it was confirmed that the plane had crashed into the sea, he said.

Wing Commander Alam said the F-7 aircraft crashed into the sea six miles off the Patenga beach.

The air force, navy and the Chittagong port authorities have launched a joint rescue operation, said Alam.

Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate Assistant Director Nur Islam told bdnews24.com, “We are not yet certain as to how the plane went missing. Aprobe committee will be formed to ascertain the cause.”