Firefighters rescue 260 flood-affected people 

Firefighters rescued 260 men, women, and children stranded in various flood-affected areas between 21 and 22 August, transferring them to safe shelters.

A monitoring cell in Dhaka has been overseeing the rescue efforts, says a press release from the Fire Service and Civil Defence Department. 

Led by Brig Gen Md Main Uddin, director general of the department and Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director (Operations and Maintenance), two emergency meeting were held on Thursday (22 August( to review the overall rescue operations and issued further directives.

Following the instructions, a 16-member team led by the deputy director from Chattogram, along with three 10-member rescue teams from Dhaka and Barishal, were sent to Feni and other flood-affected areas. 

Photo: Courtesy

These teams are equipped with various rescue tools, including water rescue tenders, TV canter vehicles, Hiace microbuses, rescue command vehicles, Gemini boats, inflatable boats with engines, life jackets, lifeboats, ring buoys, diving sets, throwing bags, and rescue ropes. 

The teams departed for Feni earlier on Thursday.

As of 4pm on Thursday, Fire Service rescue teams have safely evacuated 139 men, 99 women (including two pregnant women), and 22 children from the flood-hit areas. Rescue operations are ongoing.

Photo: Courtesy

For those in need of assistance, the Fire Service's hotline number 102 and the regular control room number 02223355555 are operational. 

Additionally, the monitoring cell's mobile number 01713-038181 and the national emergency service 999 can be contacted for round-the-clock support. 

Fire stations in the affected areas and divisional control rooms are also available to provide disaster-related rescue services 24/7. The fire stations can also be used as shelters.