Over 100 houses buried under mud

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Large chunks of earth and mud, sliding of a soaked hill that had been cut earlier for a now abandoned government housing project, buried some 100 houses fully or partially at Kalatali in Cox’s Bazar town in the last 48 hours.
Several hundred people of the area were forced to leave their houses following the mudslide triggered by the onrush of rainwater flowing down the hill, which had been continuing.

The district administration had recently levelled hills on 51 acres of land by bulldozer for making houses for the officials of deputy commissioner’s (DC) office ignoring the protest from the environmentalists. The government finally cancelled the project.

While visiting Saikatpara and Adarshagram, it was found that many houses were buried under mud completely, while some others partially. Those still living in the area have been making preparations to move out as their houses have become unfit for living.

“We tried a lot but could not resist the mud,” Nomanul Haq Sazim, a resident of Saikatpara told The Daily Star.

A brick wall, put up by the district administration earlier to protect the localities from mudslides, broke down leaving the families residing in the areas at grave risk, the locals said.

The district administration has been evacuating families from those localities.

Zahedul Islam of Saikatpara said that they could not leave the house, as they have nowhere to go. Almost half of their house got buried under mud and the front door has been blocked as mud has piled up against it.

“We have made an alternative path breaking down the grill of the window,” he said adding that many of their neighbours have moved out.

Sarjin, a student of Kalatali primary school, said that all her family members have taken shelter in a single room as other rooms have become unfit for living.

Mazedul Karim, a student of Ramu College, said that their whole house was buried under mud.

Following a visit to the affected areas, Professor Sharmina Reshmin, an environment protection activist of the town said, “the way the mud is coming down it would affect the hotel and motel zone of the town soon.” She urged the authorities to take immediate steps.

The new deputy commissioner (DC) of Cox’s Bazar Sazzadul Hasan told The Daily Star that a committee has been formed, led by ADC General Arifur Rahman Apu, for taking necessary measures.

Besides, another hill near the town’s City College has developed large cracks, which may collapse any moment repeating the Chittagong mudslide tragedy, locals fear.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sayeed Mahmud Belal told The Daily Star that the authorities had already moved some families from the City College area following the incident.

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