KHULNA, Nov 9, 2019 (BSS) – Khulna and Bagerhat District Administrations,
Mongla Port Authority, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) of
Mongla West Zone have taken massive preparations to cope with any eventuality
of the cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul’ as danger signal number 10 was issued in the
coastal belt Khulna and Mongla Port area.
Moreover, the coastal districts of Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their
offshore islands and chars have been advised to keep hoisted the danger
signal no 10 while cyclone ‘Bulbul’ is advancing west-central Bay and
adjoining east-central Bay moved northwards over the same area with massive
intensity.
As part of the preparations, over three lakh coastal people were already
taken to the 800 cyclone shelter centers in the three coastal districts–
Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira.
The district administration in an emergency meeting on Friday, chaired by
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Helal Hossain, decided to keep standby medical
teams with adequate relief materials including drinking water and dry foods
in all shelter centres during pre and post cyclone situation.
“Leaves of all public officials and employees of the district have been
cancelled and kept them standby to face any eventuality of the cyclonic
storm,” DC Helal said.
District Disaster and Relief Officer Md Azizul Islam Joyardar addressed
another emergency meeting on Friday afternoon, organised by district disaster
management committee, while Acting Divisional Commissioner Subash Chandra Saha
presided over it.
Around 2,460 volunteers including members of Red Crescent Society, 114
medical team with health workers have already prepared to cope with the
upcoming disasters and 16 control rooms have been set up, Azizul Islam said,
adding, “Announcement through loud speakers about the cyclone awareness began
yesterday in all coastal areas and it will be continued until further
notice.”
“Five members committee has been formed to monitor the pre and post
cyclonic situation at the coastal area in Khulna district,” he said, adding
that pure drinking water, dry foods have been sent to the coastal areas and
Taka seven lakh in cash is ready for distribution.
“Special preparations have been taken four more risky coastal upazilas
like Koyra, Paipgacha, Dakop and Botiaghata in the district,” he added.
Under the influence of Cyclonic storm Bulbul, the activities of Mongla
Port Authority (MPA) have already stopped, said acting chairman and also
member (Finance) of MPA Yasmin Afsana while talking to BSS this morning.
The vessels, anchored at the jetties, are being taken to the safer places
especially in outer anchorage with a view to protecting the jetties from any
impending destruction likely to be caused by the cyclone, she said.
In the backdrop of hoisting maritime port Mongla signal number 10, all
fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain in
shelter till further notice, she added.
The authorities have also postponed to holding Rash Mela which schedule to
begin on November 10 in Dublar Char area near the Sundarbans.