Padma Bridge to be blessing for easier communication during floods: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday hoped that the Padma Bridge would be a blessing for the nation for easier communication in the wake of the flood, as the government is set to inaugurate it on June 25.

"After the opening of the Padma Bridge, I hope, InshaAllah, it would be a blessing as uninterrupted communication with the Southern region will be ensured," she said while addressing a reception ceremony of sportspersons at the Prime Minister's Office in the capital.

Mentioning that flood is a regular phenomenon in the country, she said, "We will deal with the flood and we will also continue sports. Everything will go on. This is our life, we have to accept it."

Sheikh Hasina said the government is taking various measures to rescue, treat and provide relief to the flood victims to minimise the suffering.

She said it is the monsoon season, and the floods in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts have occurred much more massively this time "but, I am monitoring it regularly".

"We are doing rescue work and providing relief along with various measures for the flood victims," she said, mentioning that local administration, army, navy and all other organisations are deployed to rescue people and provide assistance.

At the same time, she said, the leaders and activists of the Chhatra League, Juba League, Swechchhasebak League and associated organisations of the Awami League have come forward with assistance in different areas.

The government has been doing everything to drain out the water and is also ready to deal with the post-flood situation, she added.

The head of government said she had cautioned all the concerned earlier, saying that this time there could be a massive flood. "I have warned everyone, told them to be prepared and we have that preparation."

About the possibility of floods in the central and southern parts of the country, she said as the flood began in the north, it may hit the south.

Sheikh Hasina said, "The water has started receding. When the water recedes from Sunamganj, other areas start flooding. This is our natural system. So, there is a possibility of flooding, especially in the Rangpur division, and Mymensingh division. We are already taking measures in this regard."

The prime minister said when the flood water recedes from the north-eastern part, the middle region might be flooded till the Bengali month of Shraban and then the southern region from Shraban to Bhadra and it is a system of nature.

She said, "In Bangladesh, we will have to move forward coping with its natural environment."

In the reception ceremony, financial honorariums were provided to a total of 88 sports persons, including 33 members of the SAFF-2021 Champion Women U-19 National Football Team.

The 55 other sportsmen include 33 persons from Mujib Borsho FIFA International Football Series 2020 and 22 sportsmen from Bangabandhu 4-Nation Physically Challenged Cricket Tournament 2022.

SAFF-2021 Champion Women U-19 National Football Team's Captain Maria Manda, player Monika Chakma and chief trainer Golam Rabbani Choton, Bangladesh Physically Challenged Cricket Team Captain Faisal Khan and Bangladesh National Football Team Captain Jamal Bhuyan received cheques of financial honorariums from the hand of the prime minister.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel, Bangladesh Football Federation President Kazi Md Salahuddin, Women U-19 National Football Team Captain Maria Manda and Bangladesh Physically Challenged Cricket Team Captain Faisal Khan also spoke.

Regarding the reception, Sheikh Hasina said, it is always a pleasure to give a reception to prominent players, but the current situation is a bit unusual due to the flood situation and the Covid-19 pandemic.