Fresh rain raises flood recovery fears in Ctg; ports advised to hoist signal no 3

Rain has returned to Chattogram just days after floodwaters began receding, with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecasting light to heavy rainfall across the coastal region over the next several days.

Seaports have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal no. 3 due to active monsoon conditions and the influence of a low-pressure system.

Light rain was recorded in parts of Chattogram this morning (16 July), while intermittent showers and overcast skies prevailed from the afternoon.

Mohammad Abdur Rahman Khan, deputy director of BMD’s Chattogram office, told The Business Standard that active monsoon conditions and a low-pressure area are likely to bring light to moderate rainfall, with occasional heavy showers, over the coming days.

“Rainfall is expected to continue across the coastal region for the next few days. However, it is unlikely to be as intense as last week’s downpour,” he said.

Chattogram received more than 1,400 millimetres of rainfall over a 10-day period beginning on 5 July, triggering severe floods across the district.

According to official estimates, the floods inundated 176 unions in Chattogram, damaging 15,228 houses, 405 educational institutions, nearly 1,492 kilometres of roads, and 169 bridges and culverts.

Banshkhali and Satkania were among the worst-hit upazilas, with nearly 80% and 70% of their respective areas submerged.

Floodwaters began receding after rainfall subsided on 13 July.

However, the renewed rainfall has raised fresh concerns over rehabilitation efforts in the flood-affected areas.