Utility connections to vulnerable hill areas to be severed

In order to mitigate the loss of life during the upcoming rainy season, a decision has been taken to sever all utility connections to the people living on foothills at grave risk of landslides. The decision was taken at the 18th meeting of the Hill Management Committee, held at the conference hall of the Chittagong Division Commissioner’s office on Wednesday. “We are extremely concerned by the possible landslide-related casualties during the upcoming monsoon. As a precautionary measure, we urge the government agencies concerned to sever utility connections like gas, water and electricity to areas at risk of landslides without delay,” Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Md Abdul Mannan said. The divisional commissioner also warned that if any government agency showed reluctance in carrying out the decision to sever utility connections, he would report them to the higher authorities. “The people are living on these foothills illegally and vulnerably as well. It will act as a disincentive to them if we sever utility connections. We cannot let another landslide tragedy take place,” the divisional commissioner said. Chattogram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Elius Hossain said most of the people living on the foothills at risk of landslides are tenants, and their landlords are nowhere to be found. “The illegal occupants have rented the shanties on the foothills due to low house rent. We conduct eviction drives every monsoon, but they come back after a few days,” the DC said. According to the Chattogram District Administration, there are 28 hills in the district which are vulnerable to landslides. The district administration has so far listed 684 families who are living on these foothills. Last year, landslides claimed 172 lives in the Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban areas.