The civil surgeon office has formed a total of 284 medical teams in Chittagong district to combat any possible disasters that can be induced by heavy rains.
Apart from that, a round-the-clock control room has been set up from the civil surgeon office to seek any assistance. The phone number of the control room is 634843.
Chittagong Civil Surgeon Dr Azizur Rahman Siddique told Dhaka Tribune that the medical teams have been asked to remain on duty until further notice.
"Each upazila consists of five medical teams, while each union consists of one medical team," he said. "Each of these medical teams is comprised of three to five healthcare activists.
“The medical teams will provide emergency medical services. Additional workforce has been kept on standby at Chittagong civil surgeon office to face any emergency," Dr Azizur added.
Md Rajib Hossain, assistant commissioner of Chittagong district administration told Dhaka Tribune that a total of eight shelters have been opened to avert any landslide-related casualty.
"As many as 700 families have taken refuge in the shelters. Besides, we are asking the people living at risk of landslides to move to safer places as a precaution. We are also conducting eviction drives at the hills," the assistant commissioner said.
According to Chittagong district administration, there are 28 hills in the district which are vulnerable to landslides.
The district administration has so far listed 835 families who are living on 17 hills marked as most vulnerable.
The hills are owned by different government, autonomous, private organizations and individuals including Bangladesh Railway, Public Works Department, Chittagong WASA, and Chittagong City Corporation.
Heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in Chittagong
Heavy rainfall may trigger landslides at different places in the hilly regions of Chittagong division, Bangladesh Meteorological Department has said in a forecast.
The Met office bulletin said heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at some places in Barisal and Chittagong divisions due to active monsoon over Bangladesh.
