The government has launched a coordinated rescue, relief and rehabilitation campaign in flood-affected areas under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's directives, with emergency financial assistance approved, security forces deployed and more than 1,000 shelters operating, Prime Minister's Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Saturday.
Briefing reporters at the PMO, Mahdi said the prime minister has been monitoring the flood situation round the clock and coordinating the government's response through officials at both the national and local levels.
Heavy rainfall has triggered floods, landslides and waterlogging in different parts of the country, with Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban among the worst-hit districts, he said.
According to the PMO spokesperson, the prime minister on Friday spoke with divisional commissioners, deputy inspectors general of police, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, civil surgeons and fire service officials in the five worst-hit districts, instructing them to remain beside affected people and ensure effective rescue and relief operations.
Tarique Rahman is also scheduled to meet all divisional commissioners on Sunday to review the situation and issue further directives, he added.
Mahdi Amin said a coordinated government response involving officials from the upazila to the national level is already underway.
Following the prime minister's instructions, State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit is in Chittagong overseeing relief operations, while local MPs and political leaders are working alongside the administration in the affected areas, he said.
The adviser also said the prime minister has approved more than Tk2 crore in emergency financial assistance, while efforts are continuing to distribute rice and other relief materials among affected families. Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations in the flood-hit districts of Chattogram division have also been postponed.
He said the Bangladesh Coast Guard has been deployed in coastal areas, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in border regions and the Army where necessary. Medical teams equipped with medicines and vaccines have also been mobilized to prevent waterborne diseases and treat snakebite victims.
Mahdi said the government has directed the Local Government Engineering Department and the Roads and Highways Department to prepare for repairing damaged roads and railway infrastructure once floodwaters recede.
Work has also begun to assess compensation for affected households, farmers, fish growers and livestock owners, while a food-friendly program will be launched soon, he said.
More than 1,000 shelters are currently operating with food, safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, while efforts are underway to restore communications in areas where mobile networks have been disrupted, the PMO spokesperson added.
He also said Tarique Rahman, in his capacity as BNP chairman, has instructed party leaders and activists, including members of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal, to join rescue and relief efforts, with many already working on the ground.
"The prime minister has directed us to work simultaneously on rescue, relief and rehabilitation. During this disaster, everyone must stand united," Mahdi Amin said.
He expressed hope that the government's coordinated efforts would help ease the suffering of flood victims and ensure assistance reaches them as quickly as possible.
