Eight killed after monsoon landslides strike Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh

At least eight Rohingya refugees lost their lives after heavy monsoon rain triggered a series of landslides at refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh early on Monday

At least eight Rohingya refugees lost their lives after heavy monsoon rain triggered a series of landslides at refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh early on Monday. Several other people were injured as large amounts of mud and debris swept through shelters while families were sleeping, according to local officials.

The landslides struck four different locations across the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, which is home to more than 1.2 million Rohingya who fled violence in neighbouring Myanmar. Rescue teams rushed to the affected areas to search for survivors as emergency workers cleared collapsed shelters buried under mud. Authorities said a Bangladeshi resident also died after part of a hillside gave way and crashed onto his home. Two members of his family were injured in the incident.

Police official Tumpa Das confirmed that eight people had died as a result of the landslides caused by continuous heavy rainfall. She warned that the danger has not passed because rain is still falling across the region, increasing the possibility of more slope failures in areas where thousands of refugees continue to live in vulnerable conditions.

Most Rohingya families in the camps live in temporary shelters made from bamboo and plastic sheets. These homes are built on steep hillsides that were cleared of trees to create space for the growing refugee population. Every year during the monsoon season, the lack of vegetation and unstable ground make these settlements highly vulnerable to landslides and flash floods.

Bangladesh’s Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammed Mizanur Rahman said authorities have begun moving families away from the most dangerous locations to reduce the risk of further casualties. He said emergency teams are working as quickly as possible to relocate residents living on unstable slopes before more rain arrives.

The latest tragedy comes as Bangladesh is already facing concerns over renewed fighting in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The violence has raised fears of another wave of Rohingya refugees attempting to cross the border into Bangladesh. Officials have increased security and monitoring along the frontier following reports that more displaced people are gathering near border areas in search of safety.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast additional heavy rainfall over the coming days, prompting disaster management teams to remain on high alert. Authorities are closely monitoring conditions across the camps and have warned that further landslides and flash flooding remain possible if the rain continues.

Natural disasters have repeatedly exposed the difficult living conditions faced by Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. During every monsoon season, heavy rain damages shelters, roads and other essential facilities while putting thousands of families at risk. Humanitarian organisations have long warned that overcrowding and fragile housing make the camps especially vulnerable to severe weather. The latest loss of life has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger protection measures as the rainy season continues.