Living with a
catastrophe at the cost of life: Illegal and Risky settlement on the hill slope
in Chattogram city
Islam Syed Monirul
Disaster Advances; Vol. 19(1); 29-40;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/191da029040; (2026)
Abstract
After landslides in 2007 and 2017, causing 127 and 160 deaths, respectively, the
landslide hazard became a focus at the local and national levels. Chattogram is
among the most vulnerable cities in Bangladesh. From 2000 to 2018, around 367 landslides
occurred, with 204 resulting in fatalities and injuries. Over 500,000 impoverished
people live in risky foothill areas, often ignoring the threat of landslides. Easy
access to jobs, low rent and abundant hills have driven the growth of illegal settlements.
Hill cutting for unauthorized settlements has harmed the hill ecosystem in CMA,
obstructing drainage systems and increasing soil erosion and landslide risk. Historical
evidence indicates that landslides have caused significant deaths and property damage.
Sustainable measures are essential to mitigate landslide disasters.
Various mitigation approaches can reduce the intensity and frequency of landslides.
A technical committee formed after 2007 recommended two policies: structural mitigation
and relocation. This study aims to identify landslide causes and suggest sustainable
solutions to reduce vulnerability in Chattogram. The study will clarify loss reduction
strategies and driving factors, assisting policymakers in implementing long-term
mitigation for future landslides.
