60,000 people shifted to shelter centres in two upazilas of Satkhira
Many people are reluctant to go to the shelter centres leaving their homes
Around 60,000 people of Assasuni and Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district have been shifted to shelter centres as the powerful cyclone Bulbul is approaching the coastal areas of the country.
Shyamnagar upazila's Gabura Union Parishad Chairman GM Masudul Alam said, "Around 3,000 people of my union have been shifted to the shelter centres so far."
He said many people do not want to go to the shelter centres leaving their homes, but we are trying to convince them to go there.
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In many places people could not go to the centres because of a lack of proper roads and transportation systems, he added.
Project Implementation Officer of Shyamnagar Shahinur Rahman said Gabura and Padmapukur unions are at high risk but people of the areas are reluctant to go to the shelters.
Imran Hossain, a resident of coastal Nil Dumur Ghat area, said Upazila Nirbahi Officer, police have been requesting the people to go to the centres but they are not responding. They want to stay at home.
Meanwhile, rivers overflowed by heavy rain have put embankments in several areas of the upazila at high risk.
Chairman Masudul Alam said Kholpetua River embankment is at high risk in three places. Harishkhali, Dumuria and Kalibari areas embankments along the riverbank can be collapsed at any time.
It has been raining heavily in the area ahead of Cyclone Bulbul and people cannot get out of home through the inclement weather, Masudul Alam said.
Embankments in nine areas of Ashasuni upazila are also in a vulnerable condition.
Shriula Union Parishad Chairman Abu Hena Shakil said, "Embankments in four areas of my upazila are at risk. They can be collapsed at any moment."
"Around 2,000 people of my area have been shifted to shelter centres," he added.
Pratap Nagar Union Chairman Zakir Hossain said, "Due to the rise of water level in Kopotakkho and Kholpetua River, the embankments of my areas are also at risk which poses 36,000 people under threat."
He also said the Water Development Board has not responded yet to take necessary action about the risky embankments.
However, Water Development Board Executive Engineer Gokul Chandra Pal said the coastal areas are being monitored all the time. Local administrations have been directed to take measures in an emergency.
