Relentless monsoon rains, flash floods and landslides have left at least 44 people dead and affected more than one million people across seven districts in Bangladesh, authorities said on Sunday, as emergency responders continued relief operations amid warnings of further flooding.

According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, more than 1.022 million people have been affected by the flooding, with 267,918 families remaining stranded by rising waters. At least 39 people have been injured since the severe weather began.

The worst-hit districts include Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Moulvibazar and Habiganj, where floodwaters have inundated 58 sub-districts (upazilas), damaging homes, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.

Although rainfall eased over the past 24 hours in several parts of the country, flood risks remain elevated. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) warned that fresh short-term flooding could occur in Feni, Sylhet and northern districts, particularly along the Teesta River basin, due to continued upstream inflows and additional rainfall.

The agency said water levels at seven monitoring stations on the Sangu, Matamuhuri, Kushiyara, Manu and Someswari rivers remained above danger levels, keeping low-lying communities at risk.

Authorities have opened 1,131 emergency shelters, where 44,457 displaced people are currently staying after being evacuated from flood-affected areas.

The Disaster Management Ministry said it had allocated 145 million taka ($1.2 million) and 2,650 metric tonnes of rice to the seven worst-hit districts to support relief efforts. Since July 7, district administrations across the country have also received 345 million taka and 6,900 metric tonnes of rice for emergency response operations.

However, aid workers and local officials said many flood-affected families have yet to receive sufficient assistance as access to some remote communities remains difficult. Shortages of food, clean drinking water and essential medicines have been reported in several inundated areas, raising concerns over the risk of waterborne diseases.

Health officials said pregnant women, young children and elderly residents remain among the most vulnerable groups as floodwaters continue to submerge homes and farmland.

Bangladesh, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, experiences severe monsoon flooding almost every year. Scientists say climate change is increasing the intensity of extreme rainfall events, contributing to more frequent floods and landslides across South Asia.

Authorities said relief operations were continuing while closely monitoring river levels and weather forecasts, warning that additional rainfall could worsen conditions in low-lying areas over the coming days. (ILKHA)