Troops from the army’s 10th and 24th Infantry Divisions have launched rescue and relief operations in several upazilas of Chattogram hit by flash floods and heavy rain.

After visiting flood-affected areas in Satkania, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Zaahidul Islam said nearly 90 percent of the upazila’s residents remain stranded by floodwaters.

The Bangladesh Army has been deployed to several upazilas in Chattogram under the “In Aid to Civil Power” arrangement following an emergency request from the district administration to tackle the worsening flood situation.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said members of the army’s 10th Infantry Division and 24th Infantry Division have begun search, rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

Days of heavy rainfall and hill runoff have inundated the upazilas of Lohagara, Satkania, Chandanaish and Banshkhali, leaving hundreds of thousands of people stranded. Severe flooding has also been reported in Boalkhali, Hathazari and Fatikchhari.

Meanwhile, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Zaahidul Islam visited flood-hit areas in Satkania and distributed relief materials among affected residents on Friday.

Speaking to reporters at the Satkania  upazila Parishad premises, he said vast areas across the district had gone under water due to continuous rainfall and hill runoff.

According to the deputy commissioner, all 17 unions of Satkania have been inundated, with nearly 90 percent of the upazila submerged. Around 400,000 people remain stranded, while the government continues to monitor the overall flood situation.

He said relief distribution had already begun with Tk 40 lakh allocated by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and the Prime Minister’s Office for the purchase of dry food. In addition, 200 tonnes of rice have already been distributed among affected upazilas across the district.

The ISPR statement said army personnel are carrying out search and rescue operations for people trapped in floodwaters. To ensure swift and coordinated relief efforts, the 24th Infantry Division has already set up three camps in the affected areas.

The army said it would continue working alongside the civil administration to protect lives and property until the situation returns to normal.