With the monsoon around the corner, the continuous presence of homes on hilltops or hill slopes in the country has raised concerns of deadly landslides. This threat is all too real for residents in Chattogram city, as in other hilly areas witnessing a rapid spread of the build environment. In Chattogram, for example, the number of houses in the hilly area of Moti Jharna has increased from around 200 to over 1,000 over the last 15 years. This is despite the fact that, since 2007, at least 27 people died in this area due to landslides. Besides, in 26 hills across five other wards of Chattogram, there are about 6,175 illegal (and risky) settlements now. Imagine the threat that residents will face after a certain period of above-average rainfall, which points to the lack of care and planning by those in charge.

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How well can we deal with landslides?

Surely the authorities are aware of the houses being built and people dwelling on hill slopes? Just as they must be aware of the landslides that can occur anytime? In June 2017, we saw the tragic deaths of at least 133 people in landslides. Of them, 100 were killed in Rangamati, 26 in Chattogram, and 7 in Bandarban. We must ask: have the authorities who are supposed to prevent illegal settlements and protect people learned anything from such recurrent tragedies? Not much, apparently. Otherwise, how is it that homes are increasingly being built in landslide-prone areas with the uninterrupted supplies of electricity, gas, and water? The Hill Management Committee occasionally conducts eviction drives but those are clearly too infrequent and ill-planned to make an impact. Environmentalists blame corruption and political interference for the lack of effect of measures aimed at preventing cutting hills and building settlements.

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Death in landslides can be prevented

This calls for strong and sustained interventions from the higher authorities. They must stop risky dwelling and illegal settlements throughout the year, particularly now when the risks posed by monsoon are grave. Residents who are at risk, including those at the Moti Jharna area, must be relocated to safer places urgently.