All tourist resorts in Lama closed due to inclement weather

Authorities have temporarily closed around 60 tourist resorts in Bandarban’s Lama Upazila to prevent visitors from facing life-threatening situations stemming from adverse weather conditions.

The decision came at a meeting of the Upazila natural disaster preparedness committee on Sunday, said Lama Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), or Executive Officer, Md Mohin Uddin.

He said the unrelenting heavy rainfall over several days engendered risks of natural disasters in the resorts located on the hill slopes.

The resorts will be reopened when the weather returns to normal, he said.

Bandarban Met Office chief Sonaton Kumar Mondol said Rangpur, Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, and Khulna regions may face heavy downpours, from 44 to 88mm, in the next 24 hours from 6pm on Saturday with the southwest winds blowing in.

Heavy rainfall and landslides have also been reported in Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Chattogram.

In the past 24 hours, 87mm of rainfall was recorded in Bandarban until 3pm on Sunday.

Arup Chakraborty, executive engineer of the Bandarban Water Development Board, said heavy rainfall swelled the water levels of the Sangu, Matamuhuri, and Bakkhali rivers, though they remain under the danger line.

Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ara Rini said 220 disaster shelters have been opened in seven Upazilas to provide refuge to those seeking it.

An emergency disaster service committee has been formed comprising the fire service, police, health department, voluntary organisations, and NGOs.

Rini said people living in risky areas at the base of the mountain have been warned to move to safety.

Sonatan said a total of 129mm of rainfall was recorded in the district in the last 24 hours until 6pm on Sunday.