The monsoon is approaching. Moderate and heavy rains have already started in Rangamati. It has been raining intermittently for a few days. Due to the constant rain, there is a fear of landslides in Rangamati. In such a situation, the district administration has issued an alert in risky areas to avoid possible disasters. Warnings are being circulated regarding this.
The district administration said that the district administration has made all necessary preparations to deal with any disaster, including landslides, in Rangamati during the upcoming monsoon. Due to the rains for several days, panic has been created among the people living at the foot of the hills of Rangamati including the city. Landslides can happen at any moment. The district administration is issuing warnings and spreading awareness messages to ensure the safety of life and property of those living at the foot of the hills. The administration is asking people at risk to immediately leave the risky areas and take shelter in safe places if the amount of rain increases.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Rangamati Local Government Department Md. Mobarak Hossain inspected the risky areas of the district town. The district administration said that locals have been warned since May 22.
District Deputy Collector (NDC) Nabil Nowroz Boishakh said that the administration is conducting an advance warning campaign among those living at the foot of the hills to avoid loss of life and property due to increased rainfall in Rangamati. Such warning activities will continue if the rain continues. However, shelter centers will be opened if the rain persists for a long period.
Deputy Commissioner Md. Habib Ullah said that the utmost importance is being given to ensuring that no life is lost in any natural disaster, including landslides, in Rangamati. Therefore, instructions have been given to prepare for any possible natural disaster in Rangamati.
It is worth noting that on June 13, 2017, a terrible landslide in the district claimed the lives of 120 people, including 5 army personnel. In June 2018, another landslide in Naniarchar upazila of the district claimed the lives of 11 people, including 2 children, and in June 2019, three people were killed in Kaptai of the district.
Meanwhile, Bhedbhedi, Shimultali, Rupnagar, and Jubo Unnayan area are among the 31 places identified as landslide-prone areas in the district town. Yet, surprisingly, the population in those areas is increasing. However, the scars of the 2017 landslide are still visible. Even then, people are living in landslide-prone areas. Despite knowing the risk of death, people are living on the slopes of the mountains. Risky settlements have been formed.
According to district administration sources, about 20,000 people from 5,000 families in the district are living at risk of landslides. 31 points in the city alone have been identified as risky. Many families are living at risk of landslides on the slopes and foothills of mountains in the city and in various upazilas of the district. The district administration has taken preparatory steps to deal with possible disasters including landslides in the district. Various authorities including the district administration, municipality, fire service, voluntary organizations have been asked to be ready. Upazila executive officers have been asked to take all necessary measures for the safety of people in risky areas.
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