Rohingya Refugees Face Perilous Situation Every Year as Monsoon Approaches in Bangladesh

By Ro Yassin Abdumonab | July 8, 2025 | 7 min read

There is approximately 1.3 million Rohingya refugees seek temporary refuge in the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh. These refugees encounter numerous challenges and difficulties in their daily lives within the camps throughout the year. However, the monsoon season poses the most severe predicament for Rohingya refugees.

Rohingya refugees crossing the floods that drown the Balukahli camp ( Photo: Ro Yassin Abdumonab)

The refugee shelters are situated in low-lying and hilly areas, making them vulnerable to flooding and landslides.The confluence of streams and creeks frequently surpasses their ability to regulate the influx of water from various regions, leading to inundation of low-lying areas. Additionally, hilly regions are susceptible to erosion due to heavy rainfall, strong winds, and lightning strikes.

A huge landslide occurred that destroyed shelters and latrine in Balukhali ( photo : Ro Yassin Abdumonab)

The relentless torrential rain has wreaked havoc in Rohingya camps, causing significant damage and destruction of low-lying and hilly shelters where the refugees are at grave risk. Landslides, soil erosion, shelter collapses, and floods have collectively affected numerous Rohingya refugees.

Again, on Monday, in BaluKhali camp, a severe flood swept away one boy and an elderly woman. Fortunately, the community people into action and rescued them from the raging creek. The heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding, making it difficult for the individuals to seek safety.

A group of Rohingya children play at the side of creek where the flood already occurred ( Photo: Ro Yassin Abdumonab)

The months such as June, July and August make the heavy rain and huge destruction in these moments. The relentless rains in these months have also exacerbated the plight of refugees in various camps. Landslides and soil erosion have rendered numerous shelters inoperable, leaving the refugees in dire need of food, clothing, water supplies, and adequate shelter. Many have to sleep on the ground due to the presence of water and mud within the shelters.

According to the ISCG report, heavy rainfall has caused over 50 landslides in the hilly terrain of the camps, resulting in the destruction of more than 1,400 bamboo, tarpaulin, and other materials shelters. Consequently, 12,104 individuals have been directly affected. Still the rain has not stopped, and it keeps falling continuously in the coming days that will make more disasters as community people, NGOs and camp authorities are in huge concern for this.

dead body of Rohingya boy ( photo: social Media )

Abdullah, a 14 years old Rohingya boy from Camp-2E, went to collect some spinach leaves near a stream and the Custom Road area on 4 July 2025, close to the TV Tower, to help his family with food. But the rain had made the water very strong, and sadly, he slipped and was carried away by the flood.

Two young men jumped in to save him, but the water was too powerful. After two days, fishermen found the body of Abdullah under the Customs Bridge near Camp 8E.

The view of drowned camp due to heavy flood in Balukhali camp( Photo: Ro Yassin Abdumonab)

Furthermore, the continuous rain poses significant challenges for refugees during the nighttime. The solar lights installed within blocks and roads are rendered ineffective due to depleted batteries and solar energy. Consequently, thousands of Rohingya refugees are left without access to light and electricity during the night.

Rohingya Children playing at the high risk hilly areas in Balukhali camp( Photo : Ro Yassin Abdumonab)

More than one million Rohingya refugees endure severe hardships during the monsoon season within the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh. As the monsoon approaches, refugees face heightened risks and displacement due to escalating circumstances. These circumstances have severe repercussions for their well-being, including health issues, water shortages, the proliferation of diseases, inadequate rest and sleep, mental health challenges, and limited access to essential daily necessities.

The view of Balukhali camp that has already occurred huge landslides in whole area ( Photo : Ro Yassin Abdumonab)

Prolonged rainfall has severely affected the livelihoods of Rohingya refugees, as most individuals are unable to engage in employment within the camps. Consequently, they are limited to small-scale business ventures along the roadsides. Children are deprived of access to mosques and learning centers, as these facilities have been severely damaged by the rainfall. Additionally, numerous other facilities have been rendered inaccessible due to the torrential downpours experienced within the camps.

Volunteers are fixing the landslide area shelters in Kutupalong camp( Photo :Ro Yassin Abdumonab)

In response to the severe rainfall, numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and camp authorities have been diligently working to ensure the safety of the community. These organizations have been actively disseminating awareness through loudspeakers, urging residents to avoid hazardous and risky areas and attempting to relocate families to secure zones. However, they acknowledge that they cannot fully control the unpredictable nature of the weather.