By Xinhua
Dhaka : Mudslides caused by overnight heavy downpour killed at least 36 people in Bangladesh's southeastern Chittagong, officials said Monday.
Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Mokhlesur Rahman said 61 people were rescued with injuries.
Among the 36 dead, five members of a family were buried under the collapsed boundary wall of Chittagong University located on hilltop.
Most parts of Chittagong commercial town were flooded with knee deep to waist deep waters.
The area recorded 125.6 mm rainfall from Sunday evening till 9 a.m. (03:00 GMT) Monday.
People said some 5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters) deep water was flowing at several points. Ground-floor residents in some areas were seen to have taken shelter on the first floor as some 10 feet (3 meters) water swamped their dwellings.
Air communication between Chittagong and other parts of the country has been suspended due to torrential rains.
Loading and unloading in the Chittagong Port began partially at about 9 a.m. Monday after having remained suspended since Sunday evening due to the downpour.
Meanwhile, the government has sanctioned 900,000 takas (about $13,000) as financial grant for the victims.
Control rooms have been opened in 31 sub-districts district to monitor the situation.