The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, has been protecting us from the vagaries of nature for years.
The country is again looking to the mighty forest for protection from the approaching cyclone Yaas.
The Sundarbans is saving lives endangered by catastrophic cyclones in acting as a natural barrier and dissipating their force. It has been saving the coastal communities from the viciousness of disasters- from the cyclone Aila in 2009 to Amphan in 2020.
The cyclone Amphan passed through the vast mangrove and caused irrecoverable damages. Sundarbans stood as the saviour of the country, by absorbing the fury of the cyclone.
The existence of the mangrove forest remains under threat despite saving Bangladesh from the adverse impact of these natural calamities.
People in the coastal areas have been bracing themselves for Yaas. Shelters have been prepared to move and evacuate people.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said on Monday that if the current momentum continues, the risk of cyclone Yaas hitting the Bangladesh coast is very low. However, due to the cyclone, strong stormy winds are likely to sweep over the country.
All the fishing boats and trawlers have been advised to return near the coast and proceed with caution.
Entry pass to the Sundarbans to fishermen and honey collectors has been suspended and those who are already inside the forest have been asked to return within 25 May.
Forest officials have expressed hope that Sundarbans will save the localities from this cyclone as it has done during similar natural calamities in the past.
