Bangladesh landslides death toll reaches 27 amid monsoon rains

Torrential monsoon rains have triggered devastating landslides in Bangladesh's southern hilly districts, with the death toll reaching 27 over the past four days. Five more people, including a child and two married couples, died in separate incidents late Wednesday and early Thursday in the Lama upazila of Bandarban district.

The first landslide struck Mission Para around 3:00 AM on Wednesday, burying three members of the same family: Md. Yunus, 28, his wife Ranu Akhter, 22, and their four-year-old son, Md. Soleman. Local residents and the Fire Service launched a rescue operation after the bodies were discovered.

Less than two hours later, around 5:30 AM, a second landslide hit the same area, collapsing the wall of a brick house. Md. Jewel, 34, and his wife Kulsuma Akhter, 25, who were tenants, died instantly under the debris. The couple originally hailed from Chittagong.

Mobarak Hossain Mohoram, Chairman of the Aziznagar Union Parishad, confirmed the fatalities and coordinated recovery efforts. Lama Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Kayzar Hamid stated that the bodies were handed over to families after inquest reports were completed. Lama Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Moin Uddin expressed grief and noted that the administration is actively urging people living in dangerous foothills to move to safer ground through public announcements.

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The loss of five lives in these landslides is incredibly tragic. To prevent such disasters and protect lives, the administration is continuously conducting loudspeaker campaigns (miking), urging everyone living dangerously at the foothills to relocate to safer ground.