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Continuous rainfall triggered by a low-pressure system has heightened the risk of landslides in Chattogram, prompting the district administration to urge residents living in vulnerable hillside and coastal areas to move to safer locations.
Since Monday morning (July 6), officials have been using loudspeakers in different parts of the city to warn residents to leave high-risk areas. Similar awareness campaigns were also carried out on Sunday night.
The district administration said the precautionary measures were taken after the Bangladesh Meteorological Department issued Local Warning Signal No. 3, indicating an increased risk of landslides due to persistent rainfall.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah said rainfall has continued since Saturday night, and efforts are underway to evacuate people from vulnerable areas. Six Assistant Commissioners (Land) have been deployed to supervise the operation in their respective jurisdictions.
He said schools, colleges, madrasas and mosques located near hills have been prepared as temporary shelters for evacuees.
Evacuation efforts are currently focused on Akbar Shah area’s Jhil-1, Jhil-2 and Jhil-3, Bijoynagar Hill, Shantinagar Hill and Beltalighona Hill, where many families live in landslide-prone locations.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) of the Agrabad Circle Tanvir Hasan Turan said announcements are also being made in Pora Colony, Dhebarpar, the hill areas adjacent to Ambagan in Lalkhan Bazar, and the coastal areas of North Halishahar, urging residents to move to safe shelters immediately.
Experts have warned that the risk of landslides will increase further if the rainfall continues. They advised people living in settlements built on cut hillsides or beneath unstable slopes to leave the areas without delay.
The district administration, law enforcement agencies and other relevant authorities remain on high alert to respond to any emergency.
