DHAKA, Bangladesh, May 4 (NNN-BSS) – Bangladesh has begun evacuating 2.5 million people, as the extremely dangerous cyclone Fani is closing in, on the southern coast of the country.
According to a met office bulletin on Friday, after hitting the Puri coast, in India’s Odisha, the cyclone is now staying at 605 km southwest of Bangladesh’s Mongla port, in southern Khulna region and 790 km west-southwest of Chattogram port, in southeastern Bangladesh.
Bangladesh on Thursday evening issued the great danger alert over cyclone Fani, that is heading towards its coastlines.
A special bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department at 6:00 a.m. local time said, the cyclone will reach Khulna and adjoining south-western part of Bangladesh by midnight.
All fishing boats, trawlers and maritime vessels have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
Local administrations in Chattogram and Khulna have ordered evacuation of millions of people, as Fani in the Bay of Bengal is poised to cross the country’s southern coast, Friday evening.
Bangladeshi Disaster Management and Relief Secretary, Md Shah Kamal said, more than 404,250 people have been taken to cyclone shelters from dozens of coastal districts.
He said, by Friday evening, more people vulnerable to the storm will be brought to 4,071 cyclone shelters.
The number of people told to evacuate in the coastal districts has been estimated at 2.5 million, said the official.
He said, members from Bangladesh Navy, coastguard, police, voluntary organisations and political parties are supporting the massive evacuation efforts.
Officials said, control rooms set up in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, were on constant touch with local authorities, where thousands of volunteers joined hands with government officials in carrying out the evacuation and salvage campaign.
TV reports said, southern and southeastern coastal districts have been experiencing gusty winds from Thursday morning, as the cyclone was approaching.
Shamsuddin Ahmed, director at Bangladesh Meteorological Department, earlier said that Fani will surely make its landfall in Bangladesh.
“We’ve made all-out preparations to tackle the cyclone,” Bangladeshi Home Minister, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said.
“We’ll try our best to reduce loss or damage to life and property by making maximum use of capabilities.”
Officials said, medical teams had been mobilised to deal with the impact of the cyclone and leave had been cancelled for all government officials and employees.
Cities, including capital Dhaka, are experiencing drizzle and gusty wind on Friday afternoon, as an impact of the advancing cyclone.
Tornadoes and cyclones, killing hundreds of people every year, are common occurrences in Bangladesh.– NNN-BSS
