National

Preparations in progress to face storm in Khulna

Preparations are being taken in the Khulna region as the low-formed cyclone is likely to intensify into depression over the Andaman Sea and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh.

All Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO), Upazila and Union Parishad chairmen, members and volunteers of different organizations, including Red Crescent Society, have been asked to take all out preparations in all coastal belts in Khulna region, said government officials in Khulna on Sunday.

Talking to BSS, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) S M Sadekur Rahman said, “We have asked UNOs and officials concerned to keep ready all cyclone shelters, dry foods, drinking water and other necessary materials before the cyclonic storm hit the coastal belts.

“Volunteers have been asked to mike from tomorrow (Monday) in all coastal upazilas. Officials and Employees of Water Development Board (WDB) have also been asked to dump sand bags, GO bags in all risky embankments tomorrow,” he said.

Sadekur said, "We have sent a letter to the Ministry concerned to immediately send more dry foods to coastal upazilas."

A preparedness meeting to cope with the storm will be held tomorrow at the deputy commissioner’s conference room.

While talking to BSS, Parliament member of Khulna-6 constituency Akteruzzaman Babu this evening said all cyclone shelters are kept ready to meet emergency needs.

Employees of Water Development Board are working in all embankments especially in risky  embankment areas through dumping sands and GO bags.

Replying to a question, Babu, MP, said at least 120 kilometers embankments are risky and 65 kilometers are very risky out of 300 km embankments at Koyra upazila.

Regional director of Khulna Weather Office Amirul Azad told BSS that water level in all rivers in the Sunderbans and coastal areas crossed danger levels today.

Source: BSS