The Rangamati district administration has issued an emergency landslide warning with Cyclone Mocha, currently classified as a 'very severe cyclonic storm', approaching.
Besides, people who live in the risky areas around the foothills are advised to stay in the nearest shelters as heavy rains begin due to the impact of Cyclone Mocha in the Bay of Bengal.
Deputy Commissioner Md Mizanur Rahman said hundreds of thousands of people live in the foothill areas of Rangamati as the city itself is located on hills.
Apart from this, all kinds of boating in Kaptai Lake has been banned from 4pm on Saturday until further notice, he added.
The Deputy Commissioner also said that all the holidays, including weekly leave, of all the government officials working in Rangamati have been canceled until further notice to avoid possible damage from the upcoming cyclone.
"Nineteen shelters have been kept ready in the district to accommodate the people. Committees have been formed to deal with disasters in every union including Rangamati Municipality," added DC Mizanur
Earlier, BMD predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chattogram, Sylhet and Barishal divisions that may trigger landslides in five districts.
Due to very heavy rainfall, landslides may occur in the hilly regions of Cox’s Bazar, Bandarbans, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Chattogram, it said.