Southern districts on alert to tackle Cyclone Hamoon
All water transports have been ordered to position themselves near the coasts until further notice.
Local administrations in the southern regions of the country are mobilising extensive efforts to deal with Cyclone Hamoon which is advancing with speeds ranging between 89 kmph and 117 kmph, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Office.
The cyclone is projected to make landfall along the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola, potentially between 10pm on Tuesday (23 October) and 10am on Wednesday (24 October).
To tackle the cyclone, Barishal Divisional Commissioner Shawkat Ali convened a virtual meeting with six deputy commissioners from the division at the circuit house on Tuesday afternoon.
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He provided instructions for taking proactive measures against the cyclone.
In compliance with these directives, sufficient shelters, medical teams, dry provisions, rice, cash, and post-cyclone rescue teams have been prepared across all districts.
All water transports have been ordered to position themselves near the coasts.
Furthermore, the Hindu communities have been advised to conclude idol immersion by evening.
The divisional commissioner has also mandated the cancellation of holidays for all government employees.
In Barishal district alone, 541 cyclone response centers have been established, along with 61 medical teams and 322 tonnes of rice, as reported by Barishal Deputy Commissioner Shahidul Islam during a meeting at the district conference room.
The deputy commissioner also disclosed an allocation of Tk936,000 in cash to address post-disaster scenarios.
In Lakshmipur, the district administration has arranged 185 permanent and 100 temporary shelters. The meteorological office has issued danger signal no 7 for the district, prompting the suspension of ships on the Lakshmipur-Bhola-Barishal route and ferries on the Lakshmipur-Bhola route.
Traffic Supervisor Shariful Islam of Laxmipur's Majuchawdhurirhat Launch Ghat confirmed that launch and ferry operations will remain suspended until further notice.
Meanwhile, Cox's Bazar's 'radar station', a crucial installation for gathering advance warnings of various disasters, including deep-sea cyclones, is currently non-operational.
Imam Uddin, assistant meteorologist at the Cox's Bazar Regional Office of DMD, explained that it has been out of commission for some time due to technical issues.
He added, "Weather information is being received from other radar stations operational in the country. If the Cox's Bazar radar was operational, it would have been possible to provide more accurate data."
Ctg readies 803 shelters; deploys 8,800 volunteers, 290 medical teams
Hamoon is expected to make landfall on Barishal-Chattogram coast by Wednesday morning to noon, maintaining its status as a cyclonic storm, and is expected to bring along heavy rainfall and strong gusts of wind.
Additionally, the coastal areas may be at risk of flash flooding due to a wind-driven surge, elevating sea levels by 3-5 feet above the normal astronomical tide.
To address the potential disaster posed by this severe cyclone, the Chattogram district administration has taken proactive measures. They have opened 803 cyclone shelters across six coastal upazilas, namely Mirsarai, Sitakunda, Sandwip, Karnaphuli, Anowara, and Banshkhali.
Furthermore, approximately 8,800 volunteers from 440 units operating under the Cyclone Preparedness Program are actively engaged in these upazilas, aiding in the relocation of vulnerable individuals to designated cyclone shelters.
The Department of Health has mobilised 290 medical teams to provide necessary assistance to those affected by the cyclone. Saifullah Majumder, Disaster Management and Relief Officer of Chattogram District, informed the Business Standard about the establishment of a control room on Monday night, signaling the commencement of preparations for the impending cyclone. He added that CPP volunteers have been diligently working to alert vulnerable individuals in the coastal regions since morning. By 5 pm, approximately 330 at-risk individuals had already sought refuge in shelters, with efforts underway to relocate all vulnerable populations by 8:00pm.
Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Abul Basar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman highlighted the heightened vulnerability of Sandwip Island, which is projected to be directly impacted by the cyclone. In response, a total of 162 cyclone shelters have been activated in this upazila, complemented by the deployment of 21 medical teams. Across the district, 803 cyclone shelters are now operational.
Fakhruzzaman assured that an ample supply of oral saline, water purification tablets, and dry provisions have been secured and will be promptly dispatched to the respective upazilas as per the requisitions provided by the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs).
Meanwhile, due to the persistent heavy rainfall since morning, an initiative has been undertaken in the hilly areas of Chittagong to provide safe shelters for the residents.
Umar Faruq, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Kotwali Circle, stated that Chattogram has been experiencing continuous rainfall. Following the directive of the deputy commissioner, six assistant commissioners (Land) are leading teams across six circles in the city to protect the hills and safeguard lives and property. Starting with public announcements, instructions are given to guide people away from risky areas.
