CHITTAGONG: The horrors and horrifying memories and frightful moments of the devastating cyclonic storm and tidal surge of April 29, 1991 was recalled yesterday, reports BSS. Different socio-cultural and political organizations in Chittagong arranged a daylong programmes remembering the trail of destruction and loss of lives and property in the south-eastern part of the country caused by the devastating cyclone on the fateful night. People of greater Chittagong region, particularly the country’s entire coastal belts are still being haunted by the frightening memories as they lost their near and dear ones in the cyclone. The organisations which arranged separate discussion meetings to remember the day are Upakulio Unnyan Foundation, Sandwip Association, NGO Jote, Coast Trust Association, Patenga Anti-Social Resistance Committee, World Vision Bangladesh, YPSA Chittagong City, Jattri Kolyan Samity.
Special prayers for the deceased, feeding the destitute, holding of milad, remembrance meeting, photo exhibition, lighting of candles in memory of those who were killed were the highlights of the day’s programmes. Nearly 2 lakh people of the coastal upazilas, mostly from Banskhali, Anwara, Chakaria, Sandwip and Kutubdia died and millions of people were rendered homeless on this day in 1991. Chittagong Mohhanagar Awami league organised a discussion meeting and special prayer at Darul Fazal Market, remembering the day with its President A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury in the chair. Speakers at different memorial meetings urged the authorities concerned to take special measures to protect the coastal belt and arrange massive tree plantation at the coastal belt, reconstruction of embankments and cyclone centres in different coastal areas in the region to save millions of unprotected coastal people from the natural disasters like cyclone, tsunami and tidal surge. The speakers also called for formulating pre and post-disaster management systems, awareness creation programmes, especially in dealing with natural calamities to minimize the loss of lives and property. Upakulia Unnyan Foundation, also organised a discussion meeting in the city yesterday.