Torrential monsoon rains caused devastating landslides in the early hours of Monday morning, destroying several temporary shelters. The massive hill collapses struck multiple sections of the congested refugee settlements in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. Local rescue teams confirmed that large masses of earth buried sleeping families and young students under heavy mud.

The continuous downpour weakened the deforested slopes across the area, leading to sudden soil liquefaction. Consequently, a massive hillside collapsed onto an Islamic teaching center, trapping several young students inside. Emergency responders from the Fire Service faced significant challenges due to waterlogged roads and thick debris.

Neighbors joined hands with official rescue teams to dig through the mud using basic tools. Unfortunately, rescuers recovered several bodies from the debris, including young children who could not escape the fast-moving mud. The vulnerable nature of the shelters significantly increased the casualty rate during the sudden collapse.

Most shelters in these settlements consist of fragile bamboo and plastic tarpaulins built on steep slopes. Therefore, heavy rainfall regularly turns these loose topsoils into dangerous, fast-moving landslides during the monsoon season. International humanitarian agencies are currently working alongside local authorities to manage the emergency response.

Emergency teams have initiated the immediate evacuation of thousands of residents from high-risk slopes to safer communal structures. However, the weather forecast predicts continued heavy downpours for the next forty-eight hours, increasing the risk of further collapses. This tragic event highlights the urgent need for safer infrastructure and better disaster mitigation strategies for vulnerable communities.