Landslide risk in Chattogram amid continuous rain, administration urges evacuation

The district administration has begun using loudspeaker announcements across vulnerable hillside areas in Chattogram, urging residents to move to safe shelters as continuous rainfall triggered by a low-pressure system raises the risk of landslides. At the same time, all shelters in the city have been kept ready, and schools, colleges, mosques, and madrasas located near hills have been prepared to serve as temporary evacuation centers.

Since Monday morning, the district administration has been conducting public awareness campaigns through loudspeakers in various high-risk hillside settlements in the city. Similar warnings were also issued on Sunday night in several areas.

According to the district administration’s list, special announcements are being made in areas including Akbar Shah Jhilm 1, 2, and 3, Bijoynagar Hill, Shantinagar Hill, Beltolighona Hill, Tankir Hill, Amin Jute Mill area, Pahariaka, Samabaya Residential Area, Miar Hill, the railway hill near Muradpur Railway Station, Motijharna, Porakoloni in Lalkhan Bazar, Dhebarpar, Ambagan, and coastal hillside areas of North Halishahar. Residents in these locations are being urged to relocate to safer places.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Jahidul Islam Miah said that the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued Local Warning Signal No. 3. “In view of this, the risk of landslides has increased. Therefore, we are making announcements asking people living on vulnerable hills to move to shelters,” he said.

He also added that multiple teams from the district administration are working in the field to protect lives and property. Alongside public announcements, efforts are underway to relocate people from high-risk areas to safer shelters.

Meanwhile, due to a monsoon low-pressure system over Odisha and adjoining southern Jharkhand, strong winds may affect the northern Bay of Bengal and coastal areas of Bangladesh. As a result, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra seaports have been advised to hoist Local Warning Signal No. 3. All fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay have also been instructed to remain in safe shelter until further notice.