As the cyclonic storm “Mahasen” approached the coast, the government on Monday instructed the deputy commissioners (DC) and upazila nirbahi officers (UNO) of the coastal districts to open control rooms for disaster management.
The instructions had been sent out to 322 flood and cyclone prone unions under 13 coastal districts, Disaster Management and relief secretary Mesbah Ul Alam told reporters.
“At least 50,000 trained volunteers are being kept alert,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after a disaster management coordination meeting.
“The ministry has also allocated 5,000 tents and 7,000 shari and lungis in case of emergency. We have stored sufficient food grain. National disaster response coordination cell (NDRCC) will monitor the overall situation centrally,” he said.
Meteorology Department Director M Shah Alam said, “We cannot ascertain when and where the cyclone will hit as it’s still 1,300 kilometres away from Chittagong seaport, 1,230 kilometres away from Cox’s Bazar seaport and 1220 kilometres away from Mongla seaport.”
“The cyclone is now moving at 12 kilometres per hour. If it continues this speed, it will take time to hit. But it may change its speed as it is moving towards the coast. If the cyclone hits tonight, it may hit in the coast between Bangladesh and Myanmar border,” he said.
“But if it hits tomorrow following the present speed, it may hit Chittagong or the Sundarbans area. We are keenly observing its movement. We will be sure by tomorrow,” he added.
Mesbah Ul Alam said the government has already hoisted pre-cautionary signal number four for the people in those areas.
“We are communicating with fishermen, local community leaders and concerned authorities of those areas. They are prepared to face any challenge there,” he said.
“The disaster management volunteers are sending messages to the people of those areas to be prepared with dry food and move towards the cyclone shelters anytime. They will have to move to cyclone shelters anytime our volunteers inform them,” the secretary said.