At least four people including two women and a minor girl were killed in two separate incidents of hill slides in port city Chattogram early yesterday following continuous rainfall for last several days due to the influence of Cyclone Titli, reports UNB. The deceased were identified as Noorjahan, 45, wife of Nur Mohammad, her mother Bibi Zahura, 63, three-year Faizunnesa and Nurul Alam Nantu, 30. Two women and the baby girl were killed after a portion of a hill collapsed in Jhil area of Firoj Shah Colony around 2:30 am, said Rezaul Kabir, senior station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence office in Shah Akbar.

Besides, Nurul Alam, was killed as a heavy chunk of hill collapsed on his house in Hillview residential area in Panchlaish around 1:30 am, said Enamul Haque, in-charge of Bayezid Fire Station and Civil Defence station. On information, two firefighting units rushed in and rescued three people including a child as critically injured. The injured were taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital where doctors declared Nurul dead around 2:40 am, he added.

Chattogram has been experience heavy rainfall under the influence of Cyclone Titli since October 10. According to Patenga Meteorological Office, the city saw 28mm of rainfall in 24 hours since 9am on Saturday.

The district administration had asked some 100 families living at foot of the hills to relocate, fearing landslide following daylong rainfall caused by the cyclone. Officials said the nearest schools have been declared shelters so that people at risk of landslides may take refuge.

According to the district administration, there are 28 hills in Chattogram, which have been identifies as vulnerable to landslides. The hills are owned by different individuals as well as government, autonomous and private organizations, including Bangladesh Railway, the Public Works Department, Chittagong Wasa, and Chittagong City Corporation. The district administration has so far listed 684 families who are living on these foothills. Bangladesh Meteorological Department had also forecast that heavy rainfall might trigger landslides in Chattogram division.