Bangladesh Railway has launched a loudspeaker campaign in Chattogram to warn residents of risky hill settlements to evacuate ahead of the monsoon.
From Sunday morning to afternoon, the Engineering Department of Railway East Zone conducted miking in hill areas, calling on residents of illegal settlements to relocate to safer locations. The initiative aims to encourage those living on the slopes of railway-owned hills to leave the risky areas quickly.
Every year before the monsoon, the railway and the district administration carry out similar awareness campaigns. In many cases, eviction drives are also conducted through magistrates. However, most residents return to these hazardous locations even after eviction, making the situation more complex.
According to railway data, there are currently 5,332 illegal structures on seven railway-owned hills in Chattogram, housing nearly 50,000 people. The population in these areas continues to grow due to long-term settlement.
The highest risk is in the city’s Foy’s Lake area, particularly Jhil Hills 1, 2 and 3, where 4,476 families reside.
In addition, 431 families live in Moti Jhorna and Batali Hill areas, 288 families in Bijoynagar Hill near Lake City, 74 families at the base of Sholashahar station, and 46 families on a hill adjacent to Zakir Hossain Road.
Railway East Zone Divisional Engineer-2 Jisan Dutta said residents in areas including Pahartali, Foy’s Lake, Akbarshah and CRB are being repeatedly warned.
He said, “Everyone has been urged to move to safer places before heavy rainfall begins. Our teams have been making announcements on every hill since 11 am.”
Meanwhile, the risk has increased further as the Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall.
