Massive evacuation is on as cyclonic storm Mahasen is steadily moving towards Bangladesh and feared to hit the coastal areas on Thursday morning, triggering panic among the local people.
The United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the cyclone has already hit the coastal belts of Sri Lanka, killing at least seven people and affecting thousands others. However, it did not make landfall in Sri Lanka.
The office also said about 8.2 million people in northeast India, Bangladesh and Myanmar would be affected, adding Bangladesh’s Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar areas could face the worst of a tidal surge and heavy rains.
Ten control rooms have been opened at district and upazila levels that will monitor the development round the clock, reports UNB.
In Chittagong, the district administration opened 479 shelter centres. Besides, control rooms have been opened at the district administration and Chittagong City Corporation.
In Cox’s Bazar, the district administration opened 534 shelter centres. Besides, 533 educational institutions were also kept ready for people to take shelter. Around 7,000 volunteers alongside 113 medical teams were kept ready.
In Khulna, people were passing sleepless nights amid fear of being hit by the cyclone. All warships at Naval base BNS Mongla have already been shifted to Tutumir Naval Base in Khulna while trawlers fishing in the deep sea started returning to safety.
A total of 169 cyclone shelters have been kept ready to avoid possible loss of lives from the cyclonic storm Mahasen.
In Bagerhat, people were being shifted to 201 cyclone shelters. Besides, 10 control rooms have been opened while medical teams stood by and dry food was kept stockpiled.
In Satkhira, coastal people were being evacuated to 110 cyclone shelters. Besides, 187 medical teams were ready to provide emergency treatment.
Similar measures have been taken in other coastal districts to minimise possible losses from the cyclone.
A total of 1,327 medical teams are also ready in 13 coastal districts to provide emergency medical services if Mahasen’ hits Bangladesh. There are six doctors in each team.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) suspended the operation of vessels and ferries on long routes till further notice.
Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar Airport were closed on Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, all activities at the Chittagong Seaport have been suspended following the issuance of the danger signal number 7. The authorities have also issued ‘alert-3’ at the port.
All ships staying at the main jetty and mooring were asked to move away to the outer anchorage for safety, he said.
Chittagong and Karnaphuli EPZs were declared closed on Wednesday for an indefinite period.
Important equipment were being shifted from the local bases of Bangladesh Air Force and Bangladesh Navy to avoid possible destruction. Besides, the bogies and wagons of trains were being taken to safer places from different railway stations.
Directives have also been issued to take vessels from Cox’s Bazar and Mongla ports to safer places.
The government has taken all-out measures to shield possible loss of lives and property from the cyclone. Some 2,968 permanent and temporary shelter centres have been kept ready in the coastal districts for the locals to take shelter there.
A total of 1,327 medical teams are also ready in 13 coastal districts to provide emergency medical services if Mahasen hits Bangladesh. There are six doctors in each team.
The holidays of the government officials and employees in the coastal districts have been cancelled to tackle any exigencies.
Twenty-two ships of Bangladesh Navy have been kept in standby for conducting rescue operations and relief activities should Mahasen makes a landfall in Bangladesh.
Under the influence of the storm the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of eight-10 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
The coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, Pirojpur and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 90-100 km/h in gusts/ squalls with heavy to very falls during the passage of the storm.
The coastal districts of Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 80-90 km/h in gusts/ squalls with heavy to very falls during the passage of the storm.
Due to very heavy rainfall, landslide may occur at places over the hilly regions of Chittagong division. All fishing boats, trawlers and marine vessels over north Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
A total of 169 cyclone shelters have been kept ready to avoid possible loss of lives from the cyclonic storm Mahasen.
