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BSS-31
CYCLONE-PREPAREDNESS-KHULNA (with picture)
Massive preparations taken in Khulna to face cyclone YAAS
KHULNA, May 24, 2021 (BSS) – Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat District Administrations, Mongla Port Authority, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) of Mongla West Zone are taking massive preparations in the coastal belt to face the impending cyclone codenamed YAAS formed in the East-central Bay and its adjoining areas .
The metrological departments of Bangladesh forecast that it will turn into a super cyclone with maximum strength and may hit the coastal area likely on May 26 (Wednesday) and cross the Odisha-West Bengal and some parts of Sundarban in Bangladesh.
Over five lakh coastal people are being prepared for taking to over 3,000 cyclone shelter centers while over 200 medical teams in Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira coastal districts have been formed .
Of them, 1048 cyclone centers including 724 schools, madrasas and colleges in Khulna , Bagerhat and Satkhira are being prepared while 116 medical teams in Khulna, 46 in Bagerhat and 36 in Satkhira and over 8,000 volunteers including 5,320 in Khulna were already kept ready to provide services in the cyclone shelter centers.
Khulna Divisional Administration in an emergency meeting at its conference room today (Monday), chaired by Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Ismail Hossain, decided to keep standby medical teams with adequate relief materials including drinking water and dry foods in all shelter centers during pre and post cyclone situation.
Deputy Commissioners, high officials of Law enforcement agencies, among others, were present in the meeting.
Talking to BSS this noon, Khulna divisional commissioner Mohammad Ismail Hossain said Standing Order on Disaster Management Committee (SOD), set up by the Disaster and Relief Ministry, is functioning to coop with natural disaster.
“ All Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO) in coastal areas have been asked to take all out preparations for medical service and relief distribution before and after evacuees ,” he said.
“Authorities of Water Development Board (WDB) have been asked to take immediate preparation to repair all weak and vulnerable dams at coastal areas with the help of local public representatives including parliament members,” he said, adding that Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have also been asked to evacuate people in remote coastal areas if necessary.
SOD has taken preparation to evacuate the coastal people in cyclone shelters, and medical team, volunteers and dry foods and other relief materials and cash money are being kept ready , he added.
Officer of Khulna District Disaster and Relief Md. Azizul Islam Zoardar Said around 5,320 volunteers including members of Red Crescent Society, 116 medical teams with health workers have already been prepared to cope with the upcoming disasters and 16 control room to be set up, he said, adding, “announcement through loud speakers about the cyclone awareness will begin from this afternoon in all coastal areas and it will be continued til further notice.”
He said, safe pure drinking water, dry foods have been sent to the coastal areas and TK one lakh has also been disbursed to each UNO.
The Mongla Port Authority (MPA) will suspend its activities if the cyclonic storm will be approaching toward Khulna coastal belt.
The decision was taken in a meeting with MPA officials and it’s all heads with MPA Chairman Rear Admiral Muhammad Musa in the chair.
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, he told BSS.
All fishing boats and trawlers over East Bay have been advised to remain in safer places till further notice, he added.
BSS/ZH/SPL/SKB/ 1815 hrs .