Nearly 4 lakh people evacuated to 1,030 cyclone shelters in Ctg

About four lakh people mainly women and children have been evacuated to 1,030 cyclone shelters in Chattogram district to save their lives and valuables from the impacts of cyclone 'MOCHA'.

Alongside, some 16,500 volunteers are working to tackle the situation, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abul Bashar Md Fakruzzaman, who currently visited the Banskhali coastal area, told reporter over cell phone.

He said 90 percent people, mainly women and children, have already been evacuated to 1,030 cyclone shelters in the coastal district.

Over 2,000 primary schools cum cyclone centers have already been ready to evacuate more people as the Cyclone 'MOCHA' is gaining more and more strength with each passing hour likely to turn into an extremely severe cyclonic storm, the DC added.

Meanwhile, the district administration canceled leaves of all government officials and employees in Chattogram, he said, adding: "All kinds of preparations have already been taken to tackle the disaster in Chattogram mainly before and after the cyclone."

"Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) of the coastal areas upazilas of Chattogram have sent vulnerable people to cyclone centers and managed dry food for them. Nearly four lakh people have already been evacuated to 1,030 cyclone centers in Chattogram," he added.

Terming District Administration have enough dry food for the people, DC Fakruzzaman said a total of 123 tonnes of rice and dry foods, 40 lakh bottles of water, sufficient ORS and Taka five lakh 24 thousand in cash have been sent to the UNOs to tackle the extremely severe cyclonic storm.

He further said various NGOs and volunteer organizations have been asked to get ready to tackle any situation. Coast guard has been to keep their boats prepared to continue rescue activities before and after the cyclone hit, he continued.

Health Service Division has been asked to ensure treatment for victims of the cyclone. In addition, local Assistant Commissioners (land) have been asked to take measures required for hill people.

The meteorology department in its latest directives asked the seaport of Cox's Bazar to hoist "great danger signal no-10" and advised the other 11 coastal districts, including Chattogram, Noakhali, Feni, Laxmipur and Bhola to maintain the danger signal no eight.

There is a possibility that the wind speed may exceed 90km per hour in these districts. Officials predict floods in vast areas along the coastline and storm surges up to 12 feet in Teknaf where the cyclone may make landfall around noon on Sunday.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) sources said 'MOCHA' could make landfall in Teknaf and wind speed could reach 175 kmph last night. Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Chattogram has identified vulnerabilities in a total of 50 kilometers of embankment.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has opened a control room to deal with cyclone 'MOCHA'. The people of Chattogram will get all kinds of information and services related to the cyclone at the emergency service number 023-333- 630-739 of this control room in Dampara of the city.

City Mayor Bir Muktijoddha Rezaul Karim Chowdhury disclosed this at the disaster management sub-committee meeting of CCC this morning.

He said: "In case of cyclone 'MOCHA', the loss of life and property of the common people should be kept to a minimum and post-disaster rescue operations should be carried out at the highest speed."

Besides, 90 shelters have already been ready in 41 wards under the CCC, he mentioned.