Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday placed the country’s civil administration, law enforcement agencies and health services on maximum alert as the flood emergency shifted from the southeast towards the northeast and northern regions, warning officials that protecting lives and property must remain their highest priority.
Chairing a virtual meeting from the Prime Minister’s Office with divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, police officials, civil surgeons and other field-level administrators from all eight divisions, the prime minister directed authorities to maintain close coordination, intensify rescue and relief operations, and prepare for further deterioration in flood-prone areas.
The directives came as officials reported that waterlogging in Chittagong had begun to ease gradually, but warned that the situation was worsening in Sylhet following damage to an embankment on the Manu River, while Rangpur division also faces the risk of fresh flooding due to continued rainfall and rising river levels.
Calling the evolving situation a top administrative priority, Tarique Rahman said there could be no negligence in protecting affected communities.
He instructed officials to ensure the rapid distribution of relief materials, including dry food, safe drinking water, baby food, medicines and emergency healthcare services, while giving priority to families most severely affected by flooding.
The prime minister also ordered authorities to maintain adequate sanitation, electricity and communication facilities at emergency shelters and directed health officials to ensure uninterrupted medical care, particularly for women, children, pregnant mothers, older people and persons with disabilities.
To prevent the disaster from triggering law-and-order problems, he instructed police and other security agencies to remain on the highest level of vigilance against theft, robbery, hoarding, looting and the misappropriation of relief goods.
Emphasising transparency in relief operations, he said assistance must reach genuine victims without delay or irregularities.
Officials from across the country briefed the meeting on the latest flood situation, rescue efforts, shelter conditions, healthcare services, river water levels and weather forecasts.
The meeting also reviewed disaster preparedness, inter-agency coordination and contingency plans as the Meteorological Department continues to forecast further rainfall in several parts of the country.
Following the briefing, the prime minister directed all agencies to keep emergency manpower, rescue equipment and logistics ready for immediate deployment wherever conditions deteriorate, underscoring that a coordinated response would be critical as the flood situation continues to evolve.