Chattogram: In a bid to avoid unwanted deaths due to landslide, the district administration has evacuated a total of 490 families who were living in slopes of different hills in the port city.

Those families were shifted to safe shelters while 140 tin-shed houses were demolished, said a press release issued by the district administration on Monday, reports the UNB.

Using loudspeakers, the authorities concerned requested others to evict their houses soonest and also to take safe shelters elsewhere to avoid any unwanted death during the torrential rain.

The areas are: Motizarna Pora Pahar in Lalkhan Bazar, Amin Colony, Tankir Pahar, Miar Pahar, Khulsi Pahar, Akbarshah Pahar and its adjoining risky areas.

Besides, the administration has set up seven safe shelters for them.

Sabbir Rahman Sani, Assistant Commissioner (land) and Executive Magistrate, said the dwellers were asked to evict the risky places as landslide may collapse their houses.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Ilias Hossain said there have a total 13 risky hills in the port city.

Meanwhile, electricity, water and gas supply lines of those houses on the hill slope were disconnected.

Members of Fire Service and Civil Defence, rescue teams and volunteers were prepared to go for action if any disaster occurs, the commissioner added.

Available statistics reveal that 127 people died in landslides in 2007, 11 in 2008, 15 in 2009 and 2010, 17 in 2011, 23 in 2012, five in 2013, six in 2015, 17 in 2016 and 29 in 2017.

Sources at the district administration said of the 30 hills identified as vulnerable to landslides, 12 were identified after the landslides in 2007.