Cyclone ‘Amphan’12,078 shelter centres ready in coastal areas

A total of 12,078 shelter centres have been prepared in 19 coastal areas as cyclone ‘Amphan’ intensified and is likely to hit southwest Bangladesh between Tuesday and Wednesday, said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman.

The State Minister came up with the remarks in an online press briefing at his office in the Ministry on Monday.

The districts in danger are Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Patuakhali, Barguna, Bhola, Pirojpur, Barishal, Jhalakathi, Noakhali, Feni, Chandpur, Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar, Faridpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj and Shariatpur.

Some 31,000 metric tonnes of rice, cash Tk 50 lakh, Tk 31 lakh for child food, Tk 28 lakh for domestic animal food and 42,000 packets of other foods were sent to these districts, Enamur said.

Already people are being evacuated in Satkhira and people of other districts will be brought to shelters from Tuesday morning, he said.

Adequate dry food and cattle food have been reserved at the shelters and more would be allocated according to the demand of Deputy Commissioner’s office, he assured.

Deputy Commissioners are directed to keep alternative measures for communication as electricity may be unavailable during the disaster, State Minister said.

The severe cyclonic storm is approaching Bangladesh and expected to make landfall between Tuesday and Wednesday, he said.

At 3pm on Monday, ‘Amphan’ was centered about 1,075km South-Southwest of Chattogram Port, 1,015km South-Southwest of Cox’s Bazar Port, 985km South-Southwest of Mongla Port and 970km South-Southwest of Payra Port, he added.

Meanwhile, the Met Office on Monday evening said maximum sustained wind speed within 85km of the eye of the cyclone is about 210kph rising to 220kph in gusts/squalls.

Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist danger signal seven while Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to hoist danger signal six.