Govt plans to move 15 lakh people to shelters within 8pm: State minister on Cyclone Hamoon
It will cross the coastal region between 10pm today and 10am tomorrow. So, instructions have been given to bring vulnerable people to shelters by eight o'clock at night, added the state minister
At least 15 lakh will be moved to shelters in areas prone to be affected by Cyclone Hamoon to shelters within 8pm today, said State Minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman.
He said the low pressure zone turned into Cyclone Hamoon on Monday.
It is approaching the coast of Bangladesh in a northeasterly direction towards Chattogram and Barishal. It is currently 310 km from Payra port with wind speeds between 89 kmph and 117 kmph.
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Bangladesh Meteorological Department has asked the maritime ports of Payra and Chattogram to hoist danger signal no seven and six for Cox's Bazar and five for Mongla as the severe cyclonic storm Hamoon may cross Barishal-Chattogram Coast near Bhola by tomorrow morning to noon as a cyclonic storm.
"It has been decided to take the people of the risk prone area to the shelter as danger signal number seven has been issued. Accordingly, our field administration and volunteers will soon start taking the affected people to the shelter. We made the decision by analysing the trajectory, speed and character of the cyclone," said the state minister.
It will cross the coastal region between 10pm today and 10am tomorrow. So, instructions have been given to bring vulnerable people to shelters by eight o'clock at night, added the state minister.
"Earlier, at least 24 lakh vulnerable people had been evacuated from the coastal regions during the cyclonic storm 'Moccha'. The volunteers of cyclone preparedness programme (CPP) are working at the field levels," said the ministry top official, adding that 74,020 volunteers of CPP are currently working in 3,701 units of 355 unions under 41 upazilas of 13 coastal districts.
"We have already allocated money for providing cooked food and drinking water, food for children and cow fodder. Tk20 lakh, 50 metric tons of rice have been allotted to each district. Tk1 crore has been allocated for baby food and Tk1 crore for cow feed," said Enamur Rahman.
"Today's official holiday of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has been cancelled. Ministries, directorates and field level officers are working in the coastal region. Hamoon's trajectory is similar to last year's Sitrang Cyclone, albeit slightly to the northwest. That's why a little extra caution is called for," he added.
To face the catastrophe of the cyclone, the deputy sommissioners of the 10 vulnerable districts have already organised meetings with all the concerned Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) as per the Standing Order on
Disaster (SOD) aiming to ensure every possible preparedness measure and reduce disaster risks.
