BANGLADESH Meteorological Department has warned of landslides in the hilly regions of Chattogram as heavy rainfall batters different parts of the country with the onset of the rainy season. The highest rainfall on Thursday was 302 mm, recorded in Cox’s Bazar, the district that experienced many casualties in a landslide triggered by torrential downpours five years ago. Since the 2007 devastating mudslide that killed 129 people, the District Administration has been active in evacuating individuals living in the risky foothills every year. Over the last 12 years, another 112 people were killed. However, the evicted people return after while of the landslide, as the authorities have not arranged alternative residential facilities.
According to the district administration, there are 17 landslide porn hills and 28 foothills where 304 families have made settlements. Among the 17 hills, 304 families live on seven government-owned hills. Another 531 families live on 10 privately-owned hills. Chattogram City Corporation, Railway, WASA, and the Public Works Department own the public hills in Chattogram. None of them was seen evacuating people from foothills.
Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over North Bay where dark clouds are hovering. This may trigger moderate to heavy rainfall in Chattogram, Barishal and Sylhet divisions. Landslides may also occur in some parts of Chattogram Division due to the heavy rain. Deputy Commissioner’s office said the authorities will conduct an eviction drive if the residents do not leave the places willingly. More than 10 lakh people have been living on the slopes of 30 hills in Chattogram amid danger of landslides during monsoon.
The administration needs to relocate the families living in hills susceptible to landslip. Retaining walls have to be constructed to stop mudslide and the recommendation of the Hill Management Committee followed to take up afforestation programmes and erect barbed-wire fences around the hills that are prone to landslide. The authorities have to be more vigilant to prevent hill cutting, and those behind this debased business must be brought to book. Also, as experts suggest, soil protection measures have to be put in place to prevent landslides.
According to the district administration, there are 17 landslide porn hills and 28 foothills where 304 families have made settlements. Among the 17 hills, 304 families live on seven government-owned hills. Another 531 families live on 10 privately-owned hills. Chattogram City Corporation, Railway, WASA, and the Public Works Department own the public hills in Chattogram. None of them was seen evacuating people from foothills.
Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over North Bay where dark clouds are hovering. This may trigger moderate to heavy rainfall in Chattogram, Barishal and Sylhet divisions. Landslides may also occur in some parts of Chattogram Division due to the heavy rain. Deputy Commissioner’s office said the authorities will conduct an eviction drive if the residents do not leave the places willingly. More than 10 lakh people have been living on the slopes of 30 hills in Chattogram amid danger of landslides during monsoon.
The administration needs to relocate the families living in hills susceptible to landslip. Retaining walls have to be constructed to stop mudslide and the recommendation of the Hill Management Committee followed to take up afforestation programmes and erect barbed-wire fences around the hills that are prone to landslide. The authorities have to be more vigilant to prevent hill cutting, and those behind this debased business must be brought to book. Also, as experts suggest, soil protection measures have to be put in place to prevent landslides.
