DHAKA, Nov 9, 2019 (BSS) – Nearly four lakhs vulnerable people have
already been evacuated as a severe cyclonic storm is approaching Bangladesh’s
coastline, prompting the met office to issue great danger signal number 10
for coastal districts.
“By now 4 lakh people were evacuated and we plan to shift 18 lakh people to
cyclone shelters by the evening in 14 vulnerable districts,” disaster
management ministry senior secretary Md Shah Kamal told newsmen.
He said vulnerable people from Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali,
Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, and Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars were moved out to cyclone shelters or safer places.
“We have targeted 18 lakh people in nine coastal districts to shift them
to safer places to save their lives from the cyclonic storm “Bulbul”.
Bangladesh Army, Coast Guards, local administration, volunteers of the
cyclone preparedness programme, officials and employees of the Disaster
Management Ministry are jointly working in the evacuation drive,” he added.
“In most vulnerable areas including chars (small island), we are trying to
help people move out along with their valuables and cattle as well,” he said.
Kamal said the evacuees were being provided dry food while “we have enough
stock of relief materials for them”.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued great danger signal
number 10 has been issued for Mongla and Payra maritime ports and 9 for
Chattogram port as very severe cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul’ is likely to move in a
North/Northeasterly direction and may cross West Bengal- Khulna coast near
Sundarbans by this evening.
Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands
and chars have came under great danger signal no 9 while the maritime port of
Cox’s Bazar has also been advised to hoist local warning signal no. 4, a Met
Office weather bulletin said.
The coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur,
Feni,Chandpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi,
Bagerhat and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be battered by
wind speed upto 100-12kph in gusts/squalls with heavy to very heavy falls
under the influence of the storm.
The bulletin said under the influence of the very severe cyclonic storm
‘Bulbul’ and the moon phase, the low lying areas of districts of Chattogram,
Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola , Patuakhali, Barishal, ,
Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands
and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 5-7 feet high above
normal astronomical tide.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 74km of the very severe cyclone centre
is about 130kph, rising to 150kph in gusts or squalls and will remain very
high near the very severe cyclonic centre, the bulletin added.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain
in shelter till further notice.