Rain forecast triggers fear of landslide in Chattogram

Bangladeshi fire fighters and residents search for bodies after a landslide in Bandarban on 13 July 2017. Heavy monsoon rains have killed at least 46 people in southeast Bangladesh, most of them buried under landslides, authorities said on 13 July. Photo: AFP
Bangladeshi fire fighters and residents search for bodies after a landslide in Bandarban on 13 July 2017. Heavy monsoon rains have killed at least 46 people in southeast Bangladesh, most of them buried under landslides, authorities said on 13 July. Photo: AFP

The local administration of Chattrogram has asked people living in risky hilly areas to move out fearing that heavy rain will trigger landslides.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been forecast for parts of Chattogram and Barishal divisions in the next 24 hours starting 10:00am on Sunday.

In a bulletin, the Met Office said rainfall is likely to occur due to active monsoon over Bangladesh. Torrential rain could trigger landslides in the hilly region of Chattogram, it said.

Chattogram has been getting light to moderate rain over the last two days. Torrential rains usually trigger landslides that often claim lives. Eight shelters have been prepared this time, the administration said.

Meanwhile, the Patenga weather office has forecast cloudy weather and Chattogram port has been asked to hoist local cautionary signal number 3.