PEER graduates in Bangladesh at rescue in Landslides
 
PEER graduates in Bangladesh at rescue in Landslides at the port city of Chittagong and its surrounding areas Courtesy of Mr. Saidur Rahman, PEER ICC in Bangladesh
June 2007
The Fire Service and Civil Defense personnel played, and in fact are still playing, a laudable role by quickly responding to the disaster caused by a series of devastating landslides due to heavy down pour in the port city of Chittagong and its surrounding areas. The disaster claimed lives of at least 106 people and left hundreds of others injured. The casualty figure might rise further as many more are still missing.

The FSCD personnel including those who received training under the Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER) immediately rushed to the affected areas, conducted search and rescue operations, provided emergency medical aid, shifted the injured people to the hospital, etc. Other organizations which are engaged in the operations include army, police, BDR, City Corporation, Red Crescent and NGOs, etc. In fact, the rescue and evacuation activities are still going on as the situation still remains quite serious.

Most parts of the commercial city of Chittagong were plunged under knee-to waist-deep water. The heaviest rainfall in quarter of a century was recorded at 227 mm, according to Chittagong Met office. There may be more rains in the next few days, the forecasts also said.

 
Law enforces, fireman and locals join their efforts to rescue the injured and recover bodies
Chittagong city is plungrf under knee to waist-deep water
 People climbing on top of their houses after heavy fall of rains submerged two-thirds of Chittagong city
 
Most of the victims were asleep when the devastating incident took place. The people living in the foothills of inaccessible areas were buried under the mud and debris while some people were washed away by rainwater rushing down the hills. The worst affected areas of the city included Bakalia, Bahaddarhat, Chandgao, Nasirabad, Hamjarbag, Bibirhat, Khulshi, Pahartali, Halishahar and Agrabad.

The downpour has caused severe water-logging in most of the low-lying areas of the city. Many residents took shelter on roofs or the higher floors of buildings. Torrential rains paralyzed life and business as most of the city dwellers stayed indoors all the day. The rainfall knocked out seven power substations in the city though five of them resumed operations but the power supply was suspended in most areas of the city fearing accidents.

People living near the hills and other badly affected areas were evacuated due to fears of further mudslides. Rescue operations are still continuing as scores of people are believed to have been trapped in their hillside thatched and mud houses. A coordination cell has been set up at the Divisional Commissioner''s office where army, Fire Service, BDR, police and local administration were coordinating the rescue and relief operations. Officials said Tk 13 lakh in cash and two lakh metric tonnes of wheat were initially sanctioned for the victims.
People living near the hills and other badly affected areas were evacuated due to fears of further mudslides. Rescue operations are still continuing as scores of people are believed to have been trapped in their hillside thatched and mud houses. A coordination cell has been set up at the Divisional Commissioner''s office where army, Fire Service, BDR, police and local administration were coordinating the rescue and relief operations. Officials said Tk 13 lakh in cash and two lakh metric tonnes of wheat were initially sanctioned for the victims.