Over 50 families evacuated fearing landslides in Cox’s Bazar

More than 50 families have been evacuated from a hilly at Muhuripara in Sadar upazila fearing landslides triggered by incessant rain.

Police, Environment Department, Fire Service, Res Crescent and district administration took part in the evacuation drive that started on Friday night.

So far, a total of 50 families have been shifted to Muhuripara School while the rest are being evacuated one by one, said acting Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kazi Abdur Rahman.

The evacuation operation will continue until all the families are shifted to safer place, he said.

Panic gripped the residents of the hill slopes when a hill of approximate 150 feet high suddenly collapsed, destroying two shops and four houses around 4pm on Friday, he said.

Cox's Bazar South Forest Department divisional officer Md Ali Kabir said a portion of the hill collapsed due to excessive and persistent rainfall.

To face any kind of emergency situation necessary instruments and ambulance were kept prepared, said Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Habibul Hsan.

Earlier on Wednesday, five people including four members of a family were killed and four others injured in separate incidents of landslide, triggered by incessant rainfall in Sadar and Ramu upazilas of the district.