Landslide in Tiger Pass, Chittagong

Landslides have become a regular hazard in Bangladesh, especially in Chittagong, the South-eastern part of the country. People living on the slopes of hills in Chittagong are at great risk of landslide in the rainy season as Neighborhood are still built cutting down slopes of hills and in the valleys ignoring the dangers. However, Landslides killed 28 people in the city in 26 June, 2012.

Community action plan

Some local youths, however, started an altercation with the law enforcers and tried to obstruct the drive at around 12:30pm. "They (district administration) have not issued any prior notice to evict our houses," said Md Osman, a mason who lived in a slum at Tankir Pahar. He also added that the authorities had locked their houses four days back and asked them to leave the slums and return after the incessant rains had stopped.

"But they are now smashing our homes. Where will we go with our children now?" said another slum dweller, Parvin Begum, a garment worker.

Local people marked the reasons-Hill cutting and Rainfall. They asked to inform early alarming of landside.

My observation

Landside is not fully prevented but some flowing action can be reducing the venerability of land slide.

1. Landslide vulnerability assessment and zoning

2. Re-location of the foothill slums

3. Real time monitoring and early warning

4. Establishment of the emergency response and recovery team and facilities.