Landslide blocks Bayezid-Fouzdarhat Link Road in Ctg amid heavy rains

Due to the continuous heavy rainfall, a landslide blocked the Bayezid-Fouzdarhat Link Road in Chattogram this morning. 

The incident took place near Bridge No. 6, between 3am and 4am. However, no casualties were reported.

Confirming the matter, Asad Bin Anwar, assistant engineer of the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) and project director of the Bayezid-Fouzdarhat Link Road, told The Business Standard that a large portion of mud from a nearby roadside hill collapsed onto the Fouzdarhat-bound lane of the road, blocking traffic.

"Since there was minimal traffic movement at that hour, no one was harmed," he added.

Traffic on the affected section of the road has been suspended, and vehicles are being diverted.

Authorities were working to clear the debris and restore normal traffic flow as soon as possible.

The Bayezid-Fouzdarhat Link Road, a 6-kilometre road built by the CDA, has faced frequent landslides since it opened. The project involved cutting through 16 hills, much more than what was allowed. The environmental clearance only permitted the removal of 2.5 lakh cubic metres of earth, but instead, 10.5 lakh cubic metres were removed. As a result, the CDA was fined Tk10.38 crore in January 2020.

The steep angle of the hillside often cut at 90 degrees, has left the road vulnerable to landslides, particularly during the monsoon season. 

The latest incident marks the third such landslide on the road in the past three years, raising concerns about the road's long-term stability.

Local authorities are continuing to monitor the situation, as the risk of further landslides remains high during periods of heavy rain.