Coastal districts prepared to face Cyclone Bulbul

People from the coastal areas of the country are rushing towards the cyclone centres as the powerful cyclone Bulbul is set to strike Bangladesh today evening.

Salam, a ward member of Chandradweep union under Bauphal upazila in Patuakhali district, told The Business Standard that he along with his family have taken shelter in a cyclone centre in the union.

"We are in the cyclone centre since morning. We had devastating experiences during cyclone Sidr and Aila. We were affected badly. We are now conscious, and at the same time we are in a severe panic," said Salam.

Rafiul Islam, a resident of Char Kukri Mukri Union of Charfession upazila in Bhola district, said all the eight members of his family have taken shelter in a cyclone centre.

"If Cyclone Bulbul hits our area it will be a great loss. Our crops, houses and other assets will be damaged badly," he said.

Hashem Mohajon, chairman of Char Kukri Mukri Union, told The Business Standard that they have alerted people about Cyclone Bulbul. "We have formed four teams to help people from the devastation of the cyclone," he said.

Meanwhile, the administrations of coastal districts including Khulna, Patuakhali, Barguna, Bhola, Pirojpur, Barishal have already taken the preparation to face Cyclone Bulbul.

The authorities have been asking people to take shelter in the cyclone centres.

A total of 668 shelter centres and 12,000 volunteers have been kept ready to face the cyclone in Bhola. The district administration has opened eight control rooms to monitor the situation.

Didar Hawlader, a volunteer of Red Crescent Society of Borhanuddin Upazila in Bhola, said they have been alerting people to come to the cyclone shelters since Friday morning. "People's response is very positive. No fishermen have gone fishing after our announcement. The riverside villagers are also taking shelters safe places," he said.

Deputy Commissioner of the district Masud Alam Siddique said, "A total of 20 tonnes of rice, 2,000 packets of dry food and Tk10 lakh cash have been allocated for the victims."

Deputy Commissioner of Patuakhali Motiul Islam Chowdhury told The Business Standard that they have prepared 403 cyclone shelters for the people.

"We have opened a monitoring control room to meet the emergency," he said.

"We have reserved 100 tonnes of rice, 166 bundles of tins, 3550 blankets and Tk2,75,000 to tackle the primary needs," he said.

Khulna disaster management committee said 349 cyclone centres have been kept ready from Friday evening to face the disastrous situation.

According to the committee, around 2.38 lakh people are expected to be accommodated in the shelters.

A total of 509 shelters, including 341 cyclone centres, have been opened in Barguna to protect people from Cyclone Bulbul.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry sources said, 56,000 volunteers are ready to help the people survive the disaster.

"We have allocated 26,000 packets of dry foods and Tk5 lakh for 13 coastal districts," said state minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman.