People in the coastal areas of Cox’s Bazar district have started coming to the shelter centres in view of the strong cyclone 'Mocha' in the Bay of Bengal.
The district administration said that 576 shelter centres have been opened in the district since Saturday morning. A campaign is being carried out to make people come to the shelters centers.
Hundreds of people have taken shelter in Municipal Preparatory High School of Cox's Bazar Sadar since this morning. These people have moved to the shelter from Samiti Para, a low-lying area of the town.
Shafiqul Alam, who took shelter here, said, "Our house is in a low-lying area, it can go under sea water. So, I have already left with the children to save lives".
Jahura Begum said, "My husband is ill. So, I came to the shelter centre. The administration is miking and saying that the cyclone may start from this evening in the area. People are in panic."
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Jahangir Alam said, the work of bringing the people from the coastal areas to the shelter centres has started since this morning. Meanwhile, people have stayed in shelters in Matarbari, Dhalghata in Maheshkhali, Shah Parir Dwip in Teknaf and St. Martin. The administration is providing cooked and dry food to the sheltered people at various centers.
He said a control room has been opened in the deputy commissioner (DC) office. Control Room Mobile Number is 01872615132. Also control rooms have been opened in all upazilas of Cox’s Bazar district.
He also said that due to the impact of the cyclone Mocha, stormy wind with heavy rain may start from Saturday afternoon. There is a fear of submergence of the low-lying areas of the district. People are being evacuated to shelters considering St. Martin Island as the most at-risk area. A total of 2500 people have already been evacuated from here to Teknaf.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Shaheen Imran said that those who will take shelter in the shelters will be given food. He said that apart from 576 shelters centres, various social, educational and religious institutions have been kept ready as temporary shelters. More than 5 lakh people can take shelter in these shelters.
The DC said that 8,600 Red Crescent volunteers have already started working in coastal areas of the district. They are helping people come to the shelter. The administration is also helping people with vehicles. He said there is also a risk of mountain landslide due to heavy rain for cyclone Mocha.
DC also said that all preparations have been made by the district administration to deal with the cyclone Mocha. Control rooms have been opened in the district and all upazilas. Taka 1030,000 in cash, 440 tonnes of rice, 7 tonnes of dry food, water purification pills and 194 bundles of dhutin have been kept as emergency relief.
The deep depression over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas has condensed and turned into a severe cyclonic storm - 'Mocha'. The local meteorological office said that the impact of the cyclone may start falling on Cox's Bazar and Chittagong coast from Saturday evening. Cox's Bazar sea port has been asked to display the 10th major danger signal. Cox's Bazar Meteorological Office chief Abdur Rahman said that all fishing boats and trawlers in the deep sea have been asked to stay in safe shelter near the coast.
He said that Cyclone Mocha, which is located in the Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjacent areas, is gradually moving towards the North-North-East. Maximum sustained wind speed is 170 km/h within 74 km of the cyclone center, increasing to 190 km/h in gust or gale form. The sea is very rough in the vicinity of the cyclone center.
The maritime port of Cox's Bazar has been asked to hoist great danger signal No 10, the DC added.
