The cyclonic storm ‘Remal’, which lashed the country’s south, south-middle and south-west coastal areas, left at least 10 people dead and many injured. The deaths were reported from, Khulna, Satkhira, Chattogram, Patuakhali, Barisal and
Bhola districts.
The cyclone also destroyed many dwelling houses, crop lands, poultry farms, washed away fish ponds, uprooted trees and breached embankments. Lakhs of people and livestock in Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and their offshore islands were moved to the cyclone shelters on Sunday before the cyclone hit the districts.
The coastal districts, particularly Khulna and Barishal, saw massive destruction as the cyclone damaged many dwelling houses, educational institutions, business establishments and washed away farmlands. The cyclone has left tens of thousands of people of the affected areas in utter miseries.
Many people returned home from different shelter centres, but they saw their houses completely destroyed by the cyclone. A large number of houses have been inundated by the tidal surge and rain-triggered flood. The affected families are worried over their return to normal life. More than 26 lakh people have remained without electricity in the coastal areas.
More than 20 villages in Khulna have been flooded as embankments in their areas collapsed due to the cyclonic storm. Suffering of the cyclone-hit people has mounted as they are facing acute shortage of food and drinking water. Prices of rice, other essentials and vegetables have gone up in the affected areas as crops on vast tracks of land have been damaged.
Many affected people alleged that relief provided by the authorities was insufficient to meet their needs. They are passing days in extreme misery amid an acute crisis of food and drinking water.
The cyclone also destroyed many
dwelling houses, crop lands, poultry
farms, washed away
fish ponds, uprooted
trees and breached embankments
They do not have money to repair their damaged houses, business establishments and other infrastructures or purchase food. The authorities must help the affected people in repairing their damaged houses on an emergency basis. Damaged educational institutions, business establishments, roads and embankments will have to be repaired immediately to bring back normal life in the affected areas. The government must bring the cyclone-hit people under a rehabilitation programme ahead of this year’s monsoon.
Considering heavy crop losses caused by the cyclone, the agriculture ministry should direct field officials to immediately prepare crop damage assessment report. Based on the report, stimulus packages, including distribution of fertilisers and seeds and cash assistance will also have to be given to the affected farmers. We believe the government led by Sheikh Hasina keeps its eye on the overall all situation in the cyclone-hit areas and will take measures whatever necessary to help the affected people. Coastal people are affected by natural calamities such as storm and flood almost every year. Taking into account this situation, the local administration will have to intensify relief distribution in the worst-affected areas.
The department of health must take measures to provide treatment to the people injured in the cyclonic storm. At the same time, the authorities should continue all-out efforts to food aid and medical care for the cyclone victims. People from all walks of life should stand by the cyclone-hit people along with the administration.
