Update II - 21 June 2017 - 160 confirmed deaths and 187 injured is the last toll of rain-triggered landslides that hit last week the South East of Bangladesh. The death toll is expected to increase as there are still 6 persons missing, 4 in Chittagong city and 2 in Bandarban district.
80,000 persons have been affected in five districts: Bandarban, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Khagrachari and, Rangamati. 42,000 have suffered heavy losses as the landslides completely destroyed their houses together with their belongings, livelihood and food stocks. Among the most affected, almost half are from Rangamati, followed by Bandarban and Chittagong with one quarter each, and by Cox’s Bazar and, Khagrachhari with much lower numbers.
Further heavy rain is considered a major risk, including for search and rescue teams, as it may cause more land slides in the affected area, while new areas can be exposed.
No shortage of medicine or medical supplies was reported so far but high influx of patients has created huge burden on medical services.
Distribution of Emergency lifesaving commodities is being hampered due to general snapped road communication. Chittagong Hill Tracts is considerably inaccessible due to its geographical complexity making it very difficult to reach by healthcare providers.
Following the needs assessment, WHO will provide additional Emergency Health Kits, cholera kits, water purification tablets and other emergency drugs and medical supplies. WHO will continue the close cooperation with central and local health authorities in order to monitor the current situation and to ensure a timely response.
Update I - 16 June 2017 - The number of confirmed deaths increased to 147 and the injured to 132, after the most devastating landslides in decades in South Eastern Bangladesh. The death toll is expected to increase as there are still 6 missing persons. Rangamati remains the most affected district with 97 lives lost and 112 persons injured, followed by Chittagong with 42 deaths and 7 injured.
Fire Service & Civil Defense, Army, Police, Local Administration, Roads and Highways Division and Power Division with the help of local volunteers initiated the search and rescue operations in the southeastern 5 hilly districts. The operation is still facing major challenges including cut off telecommunication and electricity and some affected communities still cannot be reached by road.
According to World Health Organization’s (WHO), Country Office for Bangladesh, and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) initial assessment, there was no major destruction of health facilities and most of the casualties were admitted to local health facilities. Furthermore, no disease outbreaks were reported in the landslides affected areas.
Additional medical support was deployed into the affected areas, 473 medical teams being presently activated.
WHO maintains close cooperation with the DGHS, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and local health authorities to monitor the current situation and to ensure timely response.
105 people have been confirmed dead and at least 110 injured in the rain-triggered landslides that affected the districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Chittagong of South Eastern Bangladesh. Rangamati district was the most affected one, counting for most of the deaths – 68, and the injures – 98.
In addition to the tragic loss of life, an estimated 500 families have been displaced with women and children forming the majority of the numbers. The displaced population is temporarily sheltered in 18 safe spaces that include schools and other education facilities.
The rescue operation is facing major challenges including cut off telecommunication and electricity. Furthermore, some of the affected communities cannot be reached by road.
A total of 382 medical teams have been activated in the three districts to provide emergency health care services to the affected people.
As part of World Health Organization’s (WHO), Country Office for Bangladesh, divisional preparedness plan developed in 2016 in Chittagong division, Emergency Health Kits along with other emergency drugs and medical supplies are prepositioned at local level and are ready to be used in support of those in need.
WHO’s Emergency Health Assistance Team along with Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) officials are currently at the affected areas of Chittagong division, assessing the situation in order to address the health needs of affected people.