Coastal districts on the possible path of the approaching 'Mahasen' cyclone geared up full steam to face its impact on Wednesday, with authorities hoisting danger signal '7' for Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Bhola, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal and the offshore islands around them.
Published : 15 May 2013, 08:59 AM
A dam blocking off the Bhola town was in danger of caving in . The whole town might go under if that happens, officials said.
Cox’s Bazar
Weather was cloudy in the area since morning, the air was humid and it drizzled around 2:00am on Wednesday.
People were circumspect after the danger signal ‘7’ was issued from authorities. Local District Administration were asking residents to safer high ground.
Meanwhile, an emergency meeting at thelocal DA office under District Commissioner Ruhul Amin decided to close down the local airport after 1:00pm.
It was decided to evacuate people from coastal areas from 2:00pm and upa-zilla officials were coordinating it.
On Wednesday morning, local Assistant Police Superintendent Babul Akhter said all shelter homes were ready.
All schools and colleges were closed at 11:00am, bdnews24.com Cox’s Bazar Correspondent reported.
The 534 primary and secondary education institutions were also readied to shelter those affected by the cyclone, he said.
Police started requisitioning vehicles for speedy evacuation from coastal areas, the ASP said.
Chandpur
All holidays for staffs of government, semi-government and automated institutions were cancelled, District Commissioner Mohammad Ismail Hossain Mia said.
District Administration said a central control room has been set up which can be reached at phone numbers - 63596, 01717-080676, and fax number 63333.
Launch operations grounded in Barisal
Authorities grounded water transports in 38 routes since 1:30pm, anticipating the impact of ‘Mahasen’, Barisal water-port official Mohammad Shahidullah told bdnews24.com on Wednesday.
All vessels of the port and 78 other harbours were grounded until further notice, he said.
Pirozpur
Leaves of all government employees were cancelled, Pirozpur District Commissioner Anal Chandra Das told bdnews24.com after a meeting with all Upazila Executive Officers (UNO).
A control room will be set up at the District Sadr Relief Division.
Meanwhile, some 900 volunteers of Red Crescent were kept ready at the remotest Upazila – Mathbaria.
77 medical teams are also ready for deployment and cyclone shelters are prepared in the seven Upazilas of the district.
Authorities were also asked to remain equipped with necessary equipments and medicines.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
The Ministry of Health has formed 1327 medical team for the coastal districts to tackle the approaching cyclone.
Authorities on Wednesday morning asked for danger signal ‘7’ to be hoisted on the Chittagong- Cox’s Bazar stretch with cyclone ‘Mahasen’ less than 800 kilometres off Bangladesh coast.
According to a health ministry media release, they deployed their teams at 13 districts at risk.
They have opened control room where anyone in need can call at 01759114488 and 8819353.
The ministry earlier cancelled all leaves of its staff.
Ministry of Communications
Two control rooms have been set up to keep road communications functional after ‘Mahasen’, a press release from the Ministry said on Wednesday.
The first control room is located at room 811 in the ministry, can be reached at 02-9555323. The other is set up at the head office of Roads and Highways Division and can be reached through landlines 02-9551343, 02-9584829.