Hundreds of families from Karbaripara and surrounding areas in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, have been displaced due to natural disasters and land erosion. With nowhere else to go, they have taken refuge in the hills of Nonachhari and Faridar Chhora, but their makeshift settlements are now facing growing threats.
Residents complain that they have been struggling without government assistance for a long time. The situation worsens during the monsoon season, as landslides pose a significant risk to life and property. In desperation, many landless families are cutting into the hills to build shelters, a practice that endangers both their safety and the environment.
Community members warn that a larger catastrophe could unfold without proper rehabilitation. They are urging authorities to provide safer housing and immediate government support.
Experts emphasize that settlements on deforested hills increase the risk of landslides. They call for sustainable solutions, including alternative housing and employment opportunities.
Local administration officials have assured that a rehabilitation plan is in progress and that swift action will be taken. However, residents fear that the crisis will escalate further without immediate intervention.
By Rajin Saleh
Photo: Collected
