Heavy rain may occur in different parts of the country, including Chattogram, Sylhet, Barishal and Sylhet divisions, during this year’s monsoon, according to Met office sources.
Therefore, incidents of deadly landslides are feared in hilly areas of Chattogram, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet and Moulvi Bazar districts.
Many people meet their tragic end due to landslides in the hill areas in the region every year during the monsoon. Landslides caused by heavy rain are common in hilly areas of our country during the monsoon (June -September).
As torrential rains trigger the risk of landslide, local administration usually urges the people living in the hill slopes to evacuate their homes. But, most of the people are not interested to move to shelter centres.
They do not follow the local administration’s instruction and stay in their risky houses during heavy downpour and as a result, many become the victim of landslide. A good many people died in the hilly areas of Chittagong, Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari districts in the last decade following torrential rain. Many areas in Chattogram, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Cox’s Bazar may face disaster as an influential quarter continues to cut the hills in gross violation of environmental laws.
Many
people meet their tragic end due
to landslides in the hill
areas in the region
every year during the monsoon
Several hilly areas are being levelled by the organised influential quarter under the very nose of the local administration.
Deforestation, unplanned housing and drainage system, unplanned Jum cultivation and effects of climate change are identified as the major reason for natural disasters like landslide in the hill districts of the country. Destruction of hills and trees over the years has made the hills risky, contributing to the natural disasters.
People living in those areas are still facing natural and man-made disasters as no effective steps have been taken in this regard yet. Hill cutting is still going unabated in the name of housing as the demand for plots and flats in the hill areas is very high.
These hills are facing serious consequences as ‘effective steps’ are not being taken to check their ruination and ensure proper use of their lands and resources. Local administration must evacuate the people living in the hill slopes immediately. Besides, the authorities concerned must take measures to protect the hills and save the lives of people from landslides.
