More than 8.37 lakh people were evacuated to 2,300 cyclone shelters from coastal districts of Khulna division as very super cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’ approaches to Bangladesh coasts, officials said, reports BSS.
Reports from different coastal districts said at least 2.20 lakh people have already been evacuated at safety centers in all coastal upazilas of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat and Barguna districts.
Met office said Mongla and Payra Sea Ports as well as its neighbourhood Coastal districts, offshore islands and chars have been advised to hoist great danger signal number 10. Khulna district relief and rehabilitation officer Azizul Haque Zoardar told BSS today that 292 cyclone shelters have already been set up in the coastal upazilas adjacent to the Sundarbans, including 108 in Dacope, 116 in Koira, 45 in Paikgacha and 23 in Batiaghata.
To minimize damages from the cyclone, at least 3,560 volunteers of different organisations, including Red Crescent and CPP, are working in different regions, he said, adding that 1,100 more volunteers from non-government organizations (NGOs) are also in action. Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Helal Hossain said 608 shelters have already been set up in Khulna to avoid possible damages from the cyclone.
People are heading to the shelters till filing of this report, he said, adding over 55,000 people have already been taken at the safety centres this morning.
Loudspeakers are being used to encourage people going to the nearby shelters as the upazila administration has been instructed to maintain social distancing in the shelters for coronavirus, he said. Around 320 medical teams, 16,368 volunteers, have been kept ready for emergency treatment in Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat and Barguna districts.
Besides, a huge number of packets of dry food, cash Taka 44 lakh, fresh drinking water, 900 tonnes of rice and a lot of medicines are put available in the four coastal districts.
Under the influence of cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’, the Mongla Port Authority (MPA) has already suspended its all activities, including loading and unloading of goods, 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, they added.
A total of 103 cyclone shelters in Mongla are ready to be sterilized and dry food, safe drinking water and iftar are also reday for distribution.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to stay in shelter till further notice.
The Mongla port authority has separately opened several control rooms to monitor the pre and post cyclone situation in all coastal upazila.
