DHAKA, Oct 25 (NNN-BSS) – Bangladesh has begun evacuating millions of people, as dangerous Cyclone Hamoon is closing in, on the coast of the country, yesterday.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), which yesterday issued a special weather bulletin, said, under the cyclone’s influence, squally weather may affect the north bay, adjoining coastal area of Bangladesh and the maritime ports.
“It is likely to move north-northeastwards and may cross Barishal-Chattogram coast, near Bhola (island) by this morning, as a cyclonic storm,” it said.
After an emergency meeting of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme implementation board in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Md Enamur Rahman, said, it was decided to move people in vulnerable areas to shelters, when danger signal No. 7 is issued.
At least 1.5 million people from 10 most vulnerable districts would be evacuated to shelters, Rahman said.
Members from Bangladesh’s navy, coast guard, police, voluntary organisations and political parties are supporting the massive evacuation efforts.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 64 km of the storm centre is about 90 kph, rising to 110 kph in gusts or squalls. And the sea will remain high near the severe cyclone centre.
Against this backdrop, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority has suspended operations of all types of river vessels, on all inner routes, as the depression in the bay turned into cyclonic storm Hamoon.
Officials said, control rooms set up in the capital, Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, were on constant touch with the local authorities, where thousands of volunteers joined hands with government officials, in carrying out the evacuation and salvage campaign.
Announcements were being made via loudspeakers in the coastal districts, and red flags were raised in disaster-prone areas.
TV reports said, southern and south-eastern coastal districts have been experiencing gusty winds from yesterday morning, as the cyclone was approaching.
Bangladeshi Disaster Management and Relief Secretary, Kamrul Hasan, after a meeting at the ministry yesterday said, they have made all-out preparations to tackle the cyclone devastations.
“We’ll try our best to reduce loss or damage to life and property, by making maximum use of capabilities,” he said.– NNN-BSS
