KHULNA , May 19, 2020 (BSS) – District administrations, Mongla Port Authority (MPA), Civil Surgeon office’s and Red Crescent Society have taken up massive preparations to cope with super cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’ in the coastal belts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat and Barguna districts.
All deputy commissioners (DCs) and district relief and disaster management committees in coastal districts held emergency virtual meetings today on evacuation and pre and post cyclone situations, correspondent report.
The meetings decided to keep standby medical teams with adequate relief materials, including drinking water and dry foods, by strictly maintain social distancing in all shelter centres during pre and after post the cyclone. It was told in the meeting that steps have been taken so that people and their livestock near coastal areas can safely rush to the cyclone in the coastal areas of the districts.
“Different committees have been formed in all vulnerable coastal upazilas to monitor the pre and post cyclonic situation at the coastal belts of districts area,” correspondent adds.
All government officials, employees, doctors and nurses have been asked to remain standby at their respective stations cancelling holidays to face any eventuality of the cyclonic storm.
According to Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), over 200 kilometers embankments have been identified more risky during the cyclone hours.
In Khulna, a total of 608 cyclone shelter centres have been opened in all coastal upazilas of the district and over 2.40 lakh people will be evacuated there.
Coastal people have already taken shelter at the cyclone shelters from today noon maintaining social distancing and health guidelines, said deputy commissioner Md Helal Hossain.
District Relief and Disaster Management Officer Md. Azizul Islam Zowardar said around 2,460 volunteers including members of Red Crescent Society and 116 medical teams with health workers have already been prepared to cope with the upcoming disasters, adding, “Announcement through loud speakers about the cyclone began yesterday morning in all coastal areas and it will be continued until further notice.”
He said safe drinking water and dry foods have been sent and 200 metric tonnes rice and Taka 7 lakh in cash are ready for distribution in costal upazilas in the district, adding, control rooms has been opened at all upazilas.
Under the influence of cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’, the Mongla Port Authority (MPA) has already suspended all activities, including loading and unloading, MPA officials said.
The vessels, anchored at the jetties, are being taken to the safer places especially in outer anchorage with a view to protecting the jetties from any impending destruction likely to be caused by the cyclone, source added.
The maritime ports of Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal no-7 while the coastal districts of Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira, Barguna and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal no 7.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to stay in shelter till further notice.
In Satkhira, a total of 147 cyclone shelter centres including 1,796 primary schools, college and madrasa have been prepared in all coastal upazilas of the district for evacuation.
Besides, safe drinking water and dry food have been sent and 250 metric tonnes rice and Taka 12 lakh in cash are ready for distribution in costal upazilas in the district.
In Bagerhat, a total of 845 cyclone shelter centres have been prepared, around 11,708 volunteers including members of Red Crescent Society, 84 medical teams with health workers have already been prepared to cope with the upcoming disasters.
In Barguna, a total of 609 cyclone shelter centres have been prepared, 200 tonnes rice and Taka 25 lakh is ready for distribution and over 80 thousand people will be evacuated.
At least 37 km embankments became risky in the district, BWDB source say.
The concerned authorities and agencies have separately opened several control rooms to monitor the pre and post cyclonic situation in all coastal districts.