Deputy Commissioner visits vulnerable hillside communities and urges residents to remain in shelters amid heavy rainfall

ILIAS RIPON | CTG Mail Report | Chattogram | 8 July 2026

Hundreds of residents from vulnerable hillside communities in Chattogram have moved to temporary shelters as days of heavy rainfall continue to increase the risk of landslides across the district.

District authorities have opened eight temporary shelters in the Chattogram metropolitan area to accommodate people living in high-risk zones. According to the district administration, 640 people had received shelter and food assistance at these centres as of 5:30pm on Wednesday.

In addition, authorities have prepared 535 cyclone shelters across the district’s 15 upazilas in response to continuing rainfall and the possibility of landslides. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Sakhawat Jamil Soikot said 570 people had taken refuge and received food support at these shelters by noon on Wednesday.

Against this backdrop, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Jahidul Islam Mia visited several vulnerable hillside settlements and temporary shelters to assess the situation and reassure affected residents.

During his visit, the deputy commissioner toured high-risk areas in and around Akbar Shah and North Pahartali, including communities near 1 No. Jheel, 2 No. Jheel, 3 No. Jheel, Bijoynagar and Shantibagh.

He spoke directly with families living at the foot of the hills and asked about their concerns, immediate needs and preparedness for possible emergencies. Field-level officials, executive magistrates and volunteers were also instructed to remain alert and continue monitoring vulnerable locations.

The deputy commissioner later visited a temporary shelter established at the BRAC pre-primary school near 1 No. Jheel, where displaced families had taken refuge from the continuing rain.

Standing among women, children and elderly residents at the shelter, he assured them that the government would continue to support them throughout the emergency and urged them not to return to unsafe homes located beneath unstable hillsides.

“We are here so that none of you feel afraid or hesitant. The government stands beside you and we are here for your safety,” he told residents.

He said authorities had deployed executive magistrates, assistant commissioners (land) and volunteers to all vulnerable areas and urged residents to cooperate with their instructions and advice.

The deputy commissioner warned that ignoring official safety guidance could put lives at unnecessary risk and stressed that protecting human life remained the administration’s highest priority.

“Life comes first. Everything else comes later,” he said.

Officials remain particularly concerned because many of Chattogram’s major landslide disasters in previous years occurred late at night, when residents were asleep and had little time to escape.

According to district officials, around 25 to 26 families had been relocated to shelters on the previous night, but some later returned to their homes despite warnings from authorities.

The deputy commissioner renewed his appeal for residents to remain in designated shelters until weather conditions improve and officials declare the areas safe.

Recognising residents’ concerns over their homes and belongings, he said arrangements could be made for groups of residents to visit their houses under administrative supervision if necessary.

During the visit, the deputy commissioner personally distributed dry food among shelter residents and enquired about the condition of children, elderly people and those requiring medical assistance.

He also instructed health officials to ensure the availability of healthcare services at the shelters.

With prolonged rainfall increasing the risk of waterborne diseases, district authorities said mineral water had been arranged for every family staying at the shelters.

Officials said monitoring of vulnerable hills and settlements would continue around the clock until weather conditions improve, while residents have been urged to remain in safe locations and follow official instructions.