The government has made all-out preparations to face Cyclone ‘Fani’ as it approaches towards the coasts of Bangladesh and India at a speed of 27km per hour. All concerned in 19 coastal districts have been directed to operate control rooms round the clock, evacuate people and take them to cyclone shelters immediately after issuance of 'very danger' signal (signal No 8), said officials.
About 56,000 volunteers have been kept ready for quick rescue operations, if needed. They include the Bangladesh Armed Forces Division, Fire Services and Red Crescent. Besides, 4,071 cyclone shelters have been prepared in the coastal areas.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the authorities concerned to take all precautionary measures to face severe cyclonic storm 'Fani'.
"The Prime Minister has instructed all departments concerned to take all kinds of precautionary steps and remain alert to minimise the losses of lives and property during cyclonic storm Fani," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said. The prime minister is currently in London.
Meanwhile, tomorrow’s Higher
Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations have been rescheduled. As per the revised routine, the examinations of May 4 will now be held on May 14, according to education board website. Fani is likely to hit Bangladesh’s 19 coastal districts by Friday evening, the Met Office said.
The government has allocated Tk. 5 lakh, 200 tonnes of rice and 2,000 packets of dry food for each district. An emergency meeting was held at the Secretariat yesterday, with state minister for disaster management and relief Dr Enamur Rahman in the chair.
“We have decided to shift people at risk of being hit by the tropical storm by 10am on Friday. The loss of lives could be reduced if the people could be moved to safer places. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies to help in shifting coastal people and other related work,” Enamur Rahman told reporters after the meeting.
He said from the current direction of the cyclone it is likely to hit India’s Odisha state, then West Bengal and then Bangladesh’s Khulna and Satkhira regions. “We have already allocated Tk. 5 lakh for each of the 19 coastal districts. Besides, 200 tonnes of rice and 2,000 packets of dry food for each of the districts have been sent to deputy commissioners,” the state minister added.
“But if the cyclone changes its course and moves towards Bangladesh, it will hit Khulna, Mongla, Satkhira, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar,” he said.
He said the ministry has opened control rooms in 19 coastal districts and 56,000 volunteers have been kept ready. “Leaves of all government staff and officials in the 19 districts and upazilas have been cancelled. We have directed them to stay at their respective stations and control rooms round the clock,” he added.
Volunteers are continuously urging the coastal people to take shelter in cyclone centres, he said.
The cyclone shelters provide protection, and there is little chance of people inside being affected. The Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guards are also prepared in the coastal areas.
According to the state minister, 30 trucks have already been sent to the coastal areas to provide solar connection and supply potable water in the cyclone shelters.
“The storm is advancing towards Bangladesh at 27km per hour. We have declared danger signal number 7 in Mongla and Payra ports, including Barishal and Khulna division. The next is the great danger signal,” disaster management and relief ministry secretary Md Shah Kamal told reporters.