Severe landslides kill 76 people in southeastern Bangladesh

Dhaka, June 11 (UNI) At least 76 people were killed and many remain missing as landslides triggered by torrential rains wreaked havoc in Bangladesh's southeastern city of Chittagong, officials and local media said today.

Residents in the affected areas said the casualty figure is likely to rise as many villagers in inaccessible areas living in the foothills were washed away by rainwater rushing down from the hills.

The army is assisting the local administration in the rescue operation which has become difficult in the inclement weather, officials said.

Most parts of Chittagong commercial city were flooded with knee-deep to waist-deep of waters. Kalurghat radio station in the city suspended its transmission as the station went under six-foot water.

Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Mokhlesur Rahman, who is monitoring the rescue and relief operation, confirmed 65 deaths in the landslides caused by overnight heavy downpour. He said people were being shifted to safer places from vulnerable areas.

Of the casualty, some 26 people died at a lemon garden in Hathazari subdistrict, nine in Khepupara, 11 in Bhatiari Sekendar Colony and five each in Chittagong University campus and Baizid Bostami.

Five members of a family, including a university student, was buried under the collapsed boundary wall on Chittagong University located on hill top.

The inclement weather, marked by incessant rains, also hit capital Dhaka and elsewhere of the country disrupting normal life and businesses.

UNI