Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzol Hossen Chowdhury Maya yesterday directed the authorities concerned to relocate people living at the foot of hills in five districts on an emergency basis by May 15 in a bid to avert casualties during the upcoming monsoon.

He asked the deputy commissioners of five districts -- Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Kharachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban -- to accelerate steps to evacuate people exposed to landslides, which claimed many lives in greater Chittagong during monsoon in the past years. 

Maya was speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled, “Increasing awareness on landslide and cautionary programme in advance”, held at Circuit House in the port city yesterday.

Raising the example of five disasters that his government faced last year, he said, in every disaster they were able to decrease the death tolls --  a capability that made "Bangladesh role model in the world on how to tackle the natural calamities".

He blamed the authorities concerned for its negligence in relocating people from hills.

“… there are around 700 families living at the bottom of hills… they could have been easily relocated if the authorities had wanted,” he said.

According to Chittagong district administration, there are 28 hills in the port city where 684 families reside.

He asked all the bodies concerned including district administration, police, Chittagong City Corporation, and utility service providers to join hands in shifting people by May 15.

“You have to apply all means to remove the people living at the bottom of hills. We have to save the lives... We also need a permanent solution to rehabilitate them. I will seek prime minister's direction in this regard,” he added.

Shah Kamal, secretary of relief and disaster management ministry, said the government is taking steps regarding the landslide so that no casualties take place during the monsoon.

“We will adopt an action plan very soon. If necessary we will take initiative to build temporary shelter for the people exposed to landslide,” he added.

Before the workshop, a rally led by the chief guest marched through the important thoroughfares of the city to raise awareness about mudslide.

Md Mohsin, additional secretary of relief and disaster management ministry; Sonkor Ranjan Saha, additional divisional commissioner of Chittagong division; Masudul Hasan, additional commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police; were present, among others.