Cyclone ‘Asani’ could hit Bangladesh’s Satkhira via Odishain northeastern India and West Bengal, said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman.
He made the statement while talking to reporters after a meeting on cyclone preparedness at the Secretariat on Thursday.
“I came to know yesterday (Wednesday) that a cyclonic situation has developed near the Andaman Islands in Indian Ocean which might turn into a low. After May 11, it may change its shape from low pressure to deep depression and cyclone. Its landfall has not been calculated yet. We will be able to give details after the formation of depression and cyclone,” he said.The State Minister said that since Bangladesh is a cyclone-prone country we have had bitter experiences in the past. “Millions of people lost their lives in the storm. Therefore, we have called a preliminary meeting Thursday.
We have discussed the cyclone, the possible time of light pressure, and the time of depression,” he added.
Dr Rahman mentioned that they had taken decisions regarding the preparation for each step, who will be involved, who will be in charge and where and how they will give instructions.
“If a warning is given later, we will hold an inter-ministerial meeting and give instructions at the field level. Our Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) volunteers have been notified. They are working in the coastal areas. We have informed them on what to do according to the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD). We are all alert now. Later, action will be taken according to the cyclone situation,” said the State Minister.
He further mentioned that there are about 7,000 shelter centres and if necessary, school-college and other buildings will also be used.
“We had built more than 14,000 shelter centres during ‘Amphan’. We were able to shelter more than 24 lakh people there. Hopefully, we will be able to tackle this cyclone,” he added.