Floods Kill 44, Leave Over One Million Stranded in Bangladesh

Addis Ababa, July 11, 2026 (FMC) — At least 44 people have been killed and more than one million others stranded after days of torrential monsoon rains triggered devastating floods and landslides across southeastern Bangladesh, authorities said.

The flooding has affected seven districts, including Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Moulvibazar and Habiganj, inundating homes, washing away roads and bridges, and isolating nearly 268,000 households.

Bangladesh’s army and navy have been deployed to intensify rescue and relief operations, delivering food, drinking water and medical supplies by boat to communities cut off by floodwaters.

The disaster has also severely affected the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, where landslides have claimed lives and damaged shelters, further worsening the humanitarian situation.

Authorities said emergency response efforts are continuing as many affected families remain without electricity, safe drinking water and cooking facilities. Officials warned that continued rainfall could aggravate the crisis in the coming days.

Separately, Bangladesh’s political landscape remains tense after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced plans to return from exile in India around December to surrender to authorities despite facing a death sentence. Shortly after the announcement, the government instructed local media outlets not to broadcast or publish her speeches, citing existing court directives and the need to maintain law and order.