|| Three consecutive days of heavy rainfall have raised serious fears of flooding and landslides across Chakaria, the newly formed Matamuhuri, and Pekua upazilas in Cox's Bazar. The administration is using loudspeaker announcements to warn residents living in hilly areas to move to safer locations.At the same time, water flowing down from upstream combined with continuous rainfall has caused the Matamuhuri River to rise rapidly beyond its danger level, raising fears of flash flooding in low-lying riverside areas. On-site observations show waterlogging in various parts of Chakaria municipality, including Hospital Para, Society Paga, Thana Center, New Market, the head of Thana Road, and various sections of the highway.Due to the continuous rainfall, extensive low-lying areas in the municipal region as well as in Fashiakhali, Koyarbil, Baraitali, Dulahazara, East Boro Bheola, Saharbil, Surajpur-Manikpur, Kakara, and Bomu Bilchhari unions of the upazila have gone underwater, severely disrupting normal life, business, and communication systems.The heavy rainfall has also left the office of the Chakaria Roads and Highways (Sawj) Department waterlogged. A section of the office's boundary wall has collapsed, disrupting government operations as well. Meanwhile, in the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila, most areas of Konakhali, East Boro Bheola, West Boro Bheola, Badarkhali, and Dhemushia unions have gone underwater. The greatest concern has arisen from the fact that only one of the five sluice gates at Dhemushia water body is open, while the remaining four are closed locals fear this is obstructing water drainage.Locals allege that although water levels are rising rapidly due to continuous rainfall and hill torrents from upstream, most sluice gates remain closed, preventing water from draining normally. This has further increased the risk of flooding across extensive areas of Matamuhuri, Chakaria, and Pekua upazilas.Meanwhile, a landslide on Tuesday, July 7, in the Alamer Jhiri area of Ward No. 3 in Toitong union of Pekua upazila claimed the life of a seven-year-old child named Minhaj, son of Kalim Ullah and Ruby Akter. The incident has sparked renewed fears over the risk of landslides.Local residents say that if the rain continues in this manner, the Matamuhuri River's water level could rise further, potentially causing flash floods in low-lying areas. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre has already issued a warning, noting that water levels in several rivers across the country's eastern and southeastern regions are rising rapidly due to heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.Md. Shahid Delwar, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) for Chakaria and Matamuhuri, said reports have been received of low-lying areas being flooded due to heavy rainfall. Loudspeaker announcements are being used to warn hill residents to move to safer locations. Sluice gates in coastal unions have also been opened to allow faster drainage of water from upstream. He added that the upazila administration's emergency control room remains operational to monitor the situation around the clock, and all relevant agencies have been put on standby to deal with any potential disaster. The Chakaria upazila administration, local administration, and relevant departments are closely monitoring the overall situation.According to the latest forecast from the Cox's Bazar Weather Office, heavy rainfall may continue over the next few days as well.Md. Nurul Islam, Executive Engineer of the Cox's Bazar Water Development Board, said the Matamuhuri River's water level has already crossed the danger level. As of noon on Tuesday, the river was flowing at 11.94 meters, exceeding the danger level of 11.80 meters. He warned that if this situation continues, the risk of flooding in low-lying areas could increase further.