Dhaka,  Saturday
05 October 2024

Is there no ending of landslide in Cox’s Bazar

Editor, The Daily Messenger

Published: 09:06, 16 September 2024

Is there no ending of landslide in Cox’s Bazar

Photo: Collected 

Several people were injured in a landslide in Cox's Bazar due to heavy rains. It is known that there has been continuous heavy rain from Thursday afternoon to midnight. Flooding has occurred in different areas of the city. 
In this situation, people's work stopped in the whole city. Thousands of tourists spend idle time in Cox's Bazar hotels. Heavy rainfall is associated with landslides. Many people are living at the foot of the mountains in different parts of the country. The main cause of landslides is the illegal cutting of mountains by dominant groups. It is widely discussed.

Many plans are heard after an accident. Sadly, most of these plans remain on paper. During the rainy season, miking is done by the local administration to evacuate those living in vulnerable areas in the mountains; Some families were forced to move. But after the rainy season, the poor people again start living in the dangerous places of the hills. Poor people are suffering irreparable losses. The question is, what are these activities of local influential people who are supposed to see, what are they doing? It is alleged that at various times political party leaders and activists have managed the local administration and environment department and have freely cut mountains and built settlements.

The main cause of landslides is indiscriminate hill cutting. Due to the reckless activities of some people, landslides occur every year during the monsoon season. Local influencers, including political leaders, have occupied the hills and built settlements, which is widely discussed. 

After 127 people lost their lives in landslides in Chittagong city and surrounding areas in 2007, the high-level committee formed on behalf of the government to protect the mountains made 36 recommendations. Although only a couple of those recommendations have been implemented, most of them remain on paper. As a result, the landslide did not stop. In the last decade and a half, several people have lost their lives in landslides in Chittagong and surrounding areas.

Not only the occupiers are responsible for cutting the hills, but the local administration also cuts the hills without following the rules for various development works. Trees are cut indiscriminately for commercial reasons. As a result, the mountain is losing its natural ability to resist landslides. The authorities should take effective steps to ensure that landslides do not occur due to man-made causes. Poor people live in vulnerable places in the mountains. So measures should be taken for the rehabilitation of those people.
 

Messenger/Disha

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