KHAGRACHHARI, JUNE 1 (V7N) – Heavy rainfall and hilly slopes in Khagrachhari have led to a significant increase in the water levels of the Chengi and Maini rivers, simultaneously elevating the risk of landslides across the district. Authorities are conducting awareness campaigns, including miking, to urge an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 families living precariously at the foothills of various hills to move to safer locations.

The district has experienced heavy rains since Thursday morning, influenced by a low-pressure system. This downpour has directly contributed to the rising water levels in the Chengi and Maini rivers. In a related incident, a small hill collapsed in the remote Alutila area of Matiranga upazila, though no casualties have been reported so far.

According to the district administration, a substantial number of families—between 30,000 and 35,000—are residing in high-risk areas at the base of mountains across the district. Within the municipal area alone, approximately 3,500 families are located in 30 different vulnerable spots. These individuals, often from marginalized communities, have settled in these areas by illegally cutting into mountains or building houses at their foothills, leading to increased fear with the arrival of the monsoon season.

Particularly vulnerable areas within the municipality include Shalban, Kadamtali, Cumillatila, Mollapara, Kalabagan, Nancy Bazar, Kaibalyapeeth, and Sabujbag. Similar risky settlements are also found at the foothills of hills in Dighinala, Matiranga, Mahalchhari, Ramgarh, Laxmichhari, and Manikchhari upazilas.

Residents of these precarious areas state that they are forced to live there due to a lack of alternative housing. They expressed that they could live safely if the government were to construct protective walls or provide rehabilitation.

Md. Zakir Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director of Khagrachari Fire Service, emphasized the danger: "There is a risk of landslides during rain. If there is a landslide, there can be loss of life and property. Therefore, we are requesting people to go to shelters through miking."

Khagrachhari Municipality Administrator and Deputy Director of the District Local Government Department, Nazmun Ara Sultana, confirmed the ongoing efforts, stating, "Awareness campaigns are being conducted in high-risk areas. Residents are being asked to move to safer places."

Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khandaker reiterated the administration's proactive stance: "As part of the alert, miking was done in various areas on Thursday. Additional District Magistrates and Upazila Executive Officers are going to the field level to make people aware so that everyone can go to the shelters and stay safe."

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