7 emergency shelters opened in Ctg amid landslide risks fueled by heavy rains | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
July 11, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2025
7 emergency shelters opened in Ctg amid landslide risks fueled by heavy rains

Bangladesh

TBS Report
09 July, 2025, 01:15 pm
Last modified: 09 July, 2025, 05:01 pm

Related News

  • Swechchhasebak League leader found dead in Ctg
  • Rainfall to subside nationwide by Saturday: Met office
  • Heavy rains likely in Dhaka, 4 other divisions
  • Three-year-old child dies after falling into open drain in Chattogram
  • 3 restaurants, 2 pharmacies in Chattogram fined Tk76,000 for consumer rights violations

7 emergency shelters opened in Ctg amid landslide risks fueled by heavy rains

Despite the potentially life-threatening danger, officials report that a significant number of residents are reluctant to stay in the shelters long term

TBS Report
09 July, 2025, 01:15 pm
Last modified: 09 July, 2025, 05:01 pm
The port city has seen intermittent heavy rainfall, prompting the opening of seven emergency shelters for those living in high-risk zones near hills. Photos: Photos: Minhaj Uddin/TBS
The port city has seen intermittent heavy rainfall, prompting the opening of seven emergency shelters for those living in high-risk zones near hills. Photos: Photos: Minhaj Uddin/TBS

Amid ongoing monsoon rains and looming landslide threats, local authorities in Chattogram have launched a precautionary evacuation of hillside residents. In the past 48 hours, the port city has seen intermittent heavy rainfall, prompting the opening of seven emergency shelters for those living in high-risk zones near hills in Akbarshah, Bayezid, and Khulshi areas.

Despite the warnings, many residents are hesitant to remain in shelters, choosing instead to return home during dry spells.

Authorities estimate that around 10,000 people live in highly vulnerable hillside settlements across Chattogram, many of them in makeshift homes built at the base of unstable slopes. In response to the increasing risk, the Chattogram district administration and Chattogram City Corporation have jointly activated seven shelters stocked with food and basic supplies.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Despite the potentially life-threatening danger, officials report that a significant number of residents are reluctant to stay in the shelters long term. 

"We are seeing people take refuge at night but return to their homes during the day when the rain eases," said Hussain Muhammad, assistant commissioner (Land) for the Kattoli Circle, who is overseeing evacuation efforts in the Akbarshah zone.

He added that around 200 to 300 people sought shelter on Monday night at two centers in the Akbarshah area, where food and basic necessities were provided. 

"Our priority is relocating those living within 30 feet of hill slopes, which we consider the most critical risk zone," he said.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department issued Local Warning Signal No 3 for all maritime ports, citing active southwest monsoon winds over the Bay of Bengal. 

In a special bulletin released Wednesday morning, it forecast further heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours in Chattogram's hill regions and warned of an increased risk of landslides.

According to Sadiur Rahman Jadid, additional deputy commissioner (Revenue) and member secretary of the Hill Management Committee, the city has been divided into five zones to streamline the evacuation and shelter operations. 

"Seven shelters are already active, and we have enough food stored to support displaced residents. Volunteers are working around the clock to move people from hazardous areas," he told The Business Standard.

While rain has been heavy, the city has not experienced widespread waterlogging this time, thanks to improved drainage in many areas. Only a few low-lying neighborhoods reported short-term water accumulation, which quickly subsided, according to city officials.

Nevertheless, landslide risk remains a critical concern. 

The Hill Management Committee had identified 6,558 homes across 26 hills in the city as vulnerable to landslides. Illegal hill-cutting, often tied to construction and development projects, has made these areas even more dangerous.

Chattogram has a tragic history of landslides, with over 300 deaths reported in the past 16 years. The most devastating incident occurred in 2007, when 127 people were killed in 11 separate landslides. 

Despite repeated disasters, encroachment on hillsides and unregulated development persist.

Earlier this year, in 2025, a landslide in the Korean EPZ area claimed two lives, the latest reminder of the deadly consequences of ignoring safety regulations and environmental degradation.

Authorities say they are committed to stricter enforcement against illegal settlements and hill-cutting, including imposing fines and jail terms. However, activists and residents argue that without permanent housing solutions and stronger urban planning, evacuations during monsoons will remain a temporary fix.

For now, the administration urges all residents in high-risk zones to take the warnings seriously and remain in the shelters until weather conditions improve. Volunteers continue to use loudspeakers in hillside neighbourhoods to raise awareness and guide people to safety.

"We're doing everything possible to avoid another tragedy," said ADC Sadiur Rahman. 

"But we need the cooperation of the community to protect lives."

Top News

Chattogram / shelter / rain / Landslide

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Kunming rising: China's emerging healthcare hub draws Bangladeshi patients
    Kunming rising: China's emerging healthcare hub draws Bangladeshi patients
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    2nd round of US-Bangladesh tariff talks set to conclude today as business leaders await breakthrough
  • Photo: Courtesy
    Two placed on remand over brutal killing of trader near Mitford Hospital 

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
    SSC, equivalent results: Pass rate drops to 68.45%, GPA-5 also declines
  • In terms of stream of education, girls maintained their excellence as well. Photo: TBS
    SSC 2025: Girls dominate boys by over 5%
  • Govt vehicle purchase, foreign trip, new building construction banned: Finance ministry
    Govt vehicle purchase, foreign trip, new building construction banned: Finance ministry
  • Students sit for SSC exam at Motijheel Girls' High School on 10 April 2025. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    SSC exam results out: Here's how you can check online and via SMS
  • The overall pass rate across all boards this year, 68.45%, is significantly lower than last year's. Photo: Focus Bangla
    SSC 2025: Rajshahi board records highest pass rate, Barishal lowest
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    35% tariff: Bangladesh, US 'agree on most issues' as first day of talks ends

Related News

  • Swechchhasebak League leader found dead in Ctg
  • Rainfall to subside nationwide by Saturday: Met office
  • Heavy rains likely in Dhaka, 4 other divisions
  • Three-year-old child dies after falling into open drain in Chattogram
  • 3 restaurants, 2 pharmacies in Chattogram fined Tk76,000 for consumer rights violations

Features

Kunming rising: China's emerging healthcare hub draws Bangladeshi patients

Kunming rising: China's emerging healthcare hub draws Bangladeshi patients

3h | Panorama
Photo: Collected/BBC

What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world

1d | The Big Picture
Illustration: TBS

Behind closed doors: Why women in Bangladesh stay in abusive marriages

1d | Panorama
Purbachl’s 144-acre Sal forest is an essential part of the area’s biodiversity. Within it, 128 species of plants and 74 species of animals — many of them endangered — have been identified. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS

A forest saved: Inside the restoration of Purbachal's last Sal grove

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Renowned economist Abul Barkat imprisoned

Renowned economist Abul Barkat imprisoned

2h | TBS Today
All of Iran's uranium still intact, Israel claims

All of Iran's uranium still intact, Israel claims

1h | TBS World
Trump-Netanyahu in new strategy on Gaza issue

Trump-Netanyahu in new strategy on Gaza issue

3h | TBS World
Shocking science: why birds stay safe on electricity lines

Shocking science: why birds stay safe on electricity lines

4h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net