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

Sunday
July 13, 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
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 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

  • Dismembering woman's body: Husband arrested in Ctg
  • 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

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

  • Dollar price plummets by Tk2.9 in a week as demand wanes
    Dollar price plummets by Tk2.9 in a week as demand wanes
  • Screengrab blurred
    Mitford murder sparks political storm as BNP on backfoot, Jamaat and NCP pounce
  • Representational image
    Some issues remain unresolved despite progress in 2nd round of US tariff talks: Press Minister Mortoza

MOST VIEWED

  • Representational image
    In addition to 35% tariff, US demands 40% local value addition for 'Made in Bangladesh' goods
  • RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman speaks at the press briefing on a fake bomb threat on Biman Bangladesh flight on Saturday, 12 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Mother faked bomb threat on Biman flight to stop married son from flying with girlfriend: RAB
  • Screengrab blurred
    Killers bash in head of man with rock, stomp body with perverse pleasure
  • Photo: UNB
    Saima Wazed Putul ‘placed on indefinite leave’ from WHO role amid corruption allegations
  • How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
    How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
  • Bangladesh and US hold tariff talks on 11 July 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    Dhaka, Washington yet to agree on 20% of US tariff conditions: BGMEA

Related News

  • Dismembering woman's body: Husband arrested in Ctg
  • 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

Features

The 2020 Harrier's Porsche Cayenne coupe-like rear roofline, integrated LED lighting with the Modellista special bodykit all around, and a swanky front grille scream OEM Plus for the sophisticated enthusiast looking for a bigger family car that isn’t boring. PHOTO: Ahbaar Mohammad

2020 Toyota Harrier Hybrid: The Japanese Macan

9h | Wheels
The showroom was launched through a lavish event held there, and in attendance were DHS Motors’ Managing Director Nafees Khundker, CEO Imran Zaman Khan, and GMs Arman Rashid and Farhan Samad. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

GAC inaugurate flagship showroom in Dhaka

9h | Wheels
After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

1d | Panorama
Photo: Collected/BBC

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

2d | The Big Picture

More Videos from TBS

Why is there a mystery surrounding the death of 'Jalibi' actress Humaira?

Why is there a mystery surrounding the death of 'Jalibi' actress Humaira?

1h | TBS World
Why cockpit audio deepens the mystery of Air India crash

Why cockpit audio deepens the mystery of Air India crash

1h | Others
Housing officer shot in Pallavi for not paying bribe

Housing officer shot in Pallavi for not paying bribe

2h | TBS Today
BNP does not protect criminals like Sheikh Hasina: Rizvi

BNP does not protect criminals like Sheikh Hasina: Rizvi

2h | TBS Today
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