NN Online:
Authorities in Rangamati have issued a landslide alert across all 10 upazilas of the hill district, as persistent light to moderate rainfall continues due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal since Thursday.
In response to heightened risks, the district and upazila administrations have suspended boat movement on Kaptai Lake and other internal waterways as a precaution. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has also halted all vessel operations until further notice to ensure public safety.
Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Md Habib Ullah said that lessons from the deadly 2017 landslides have prompted the administration to take robust preventive measures. “Thirty-one vulnerable sites have been identified, where nearly 5,000 families—around 20,000 people—are at risk,” he said.
The alert covers all upazilas including Rangamati Sadar, Kaptai, Kawkhali, Naniarchar, Baghaichhari, Jurachhari, Barkal, Bilaichhari, Rajsthali, and Longadu.
Moin Uddin Selim, president of the Rangamati Launch Owners’ Association, confirmed that all boat services connecting Rangamati with surrounding upazilas have been suspended in line with the administration’s directive due to rough conditions on Kaptai Lake and cautionary river port signals. He said services would resume once weather improves and clearance is given.
On Thursday, DC Habib Ullah visited several high-risk areas including Vedvedi, Shimultali, Lokath Mandir, and the BADC area. He urged residents living at the base of hills to move to safer places and assured that temporary shelters have been set up in all vulnerable zones.
“Local representatives and volunteers have been instructed to assist in relocation efforts,” the DC said, though he noted that many residents remain hesitant to leave despite the risk.
