Rohingya camp death toll rises to 10 amid heavy rain

The death toll from monsoon-related disasters in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox‍‍`s Bazar has risen to 10, as relentless rainfall continues to trigger landslides, flash floods and widespread damage, officials said on Tuesday.

Humanitarian agencies warned that the situation remains critical, with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across Cox‍‍`s Bazar and the wider Chattogram Division over the next 48 hours.

The combination of persistent rain, saturated soil and unstable hillsides has left the camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf at high risk of further landslides, flooding, shelter damage and displacement.

Aid agencies said emergency teams are working closely with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), local administration, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) to carry out search and rescue operations, assess damage and provide emergency assistance.

Humanitarian partners have been urged to remain on high alert, closely monitor weather updates and intensify surveillance in high-risk areas as adverse weather continues.

The latest incidents have also exposed the challenges posed by severe overcrowding in the camps. Aid agencies renewed calls for camp space optimisation and additional land to relocate families from high-risk zones and improve drainage, road access and disaster resilience.

Humanitarian organisations also warned that funding shortages are hampering emergency response efforts. Under the 2026 Joint Response Plan, the Access & Safety and Disaster Risk Management programme has received only 40 percent of its required funding, leaving a gap of $23.2 million. Overall, the Shelter-CCCM appeal remains just 42 percent funded, with $73.9 million still needed.

According to the BMD, Cox‍‍`s Bazar recorded 129 millimetres of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 6:00 am on July 7, further increasing the risk of landslides and flooding.

The RCP Daily Incidents Dashboard recorded 160 weather-related incidents, including 83 windstorms, 52 landslides, 14 floods, three drowning incidents and two infrastructure hazards.

Outside the refugee camps, one local resident was also killed after a rain-triggered landslide collapsed onto his home in the Sattar Ghona area of Cox‍‍`s Bazar Sadar upazila.