0.1m at high risk of landslide in Chattogram

More than 0.1 million people living on the hillsides of Chattogram city are at high risk of landslide.

The district administration, Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) are taking steps to evacuate the people from the hillsides in the city before the rainy season starts.

The district administration is on high alert as landslides may occur in the port city with heavy monsoon rain starting soon.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Chattogram Mohammed Ilias Hossain has already ordered the evacuation of the people from their hillside residences.

He said, "There is high risk of landslide in Chattogram. So, all who are living on hillsides should shift from the areas immediately."

If the authorities concerned do not cut off gas, water and power connections of the people dwelling on the hillsides illegally, the administration would file cases in this regard, he warned.

Hills Management and Rehabilitation Committee, Chattogram held a meeting in this regard on April 16 last. Divisional Commissioner Abdul Mannan presided over the meeting.

In the meeting, the administration gave directions to evict all illegal occupants and evacuate all illegal dwellers from hillsides immediately. The meeting also directed to cut off gas, power and water lines within April 30.

The meeting was informed that 835 families were living on 17 hills.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Delwar Hossain said, "These family members living on 17 hills in the city are vulnerable to landslide during monsoon rain. We should evacuate them to save their lives before rain starts."

The district administration also conducted an eviction drive at AK Khan Hills. Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Agrabad Circle Sharmin Akter and Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Kattoli Circle Md Touhidul Islam led the drive.

Deputy Director of Environment Department Mia Mahmudul Haque, Inspector Nur Hasan, Deputy Assistant Engineer of Chattogram WASA Bikash Chandra Nath, Deputy Assistant Engineer of Chattogram PDB Mizanur Rahman Talukdar, Station Officer of Fire Brigade and Civil Defence Iftekhar Uddin, and Deputy Manager of Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) Mohammed Alamgir Hossain were present.

Some 200 hills in and around the port city have already been levelled fully or partially, posing a serious threat to the environment, sources said.

According to the sources, at least one 0.1 million people are living at the hillsides in Lalkhan Bazar, Baizid Bostami, Motijhorna, Sher Shah Colony and other hill areas.

Despite taking measures, they did not leave their houses as they have no other shelters in the port city. As a result, landslides put the lives of people at risk during the rainy season.

Rampant hill cutting is the main reason for landslide in Chattogram. Some dishonest people are involved in hill cutting in the port city, resulting in an ecological imbalance and environmental disasters.