Mass evacuation starts in Khulna coastal area ahead of ‘Fani’

Local administration today started evacuation and shifting coastal people to cyclone shelter centres as the severe cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ is likely to hit Khulna and southwest coastal area of the country by today midnight.

People from Sundarban and the adjoining areas have started to be shifted to cyclone centres and other safe places aiming to minimize losses and damages from the devastating cyclone, district administration sources said, reports BSS.

According to district administration control room, Villagers of Koyra, Dakop and Paikgachha have already taken shelter at the upazila cyclone centres with the help of local administration.

Towhidul Islam, in-charge of Khulna district administration control Room, told BSS, hundreds of coastal people are expected to take shelter in cyclone centres by this afternoon.

The special bulletin issued by Bangladesh Meteorological Development this morning forecast that ‘Fani’ may move into a north-northeasterly direction further, cross Odisha coast of India by this afternoon and then moved to north-northeasterly direction over Odisha-West Bengal coastal area, and reach Khulna and adjoining southwestern part of Bangladesh by today midnight.

The very severe cyclonic storm over northwest bay and adjoining west- central Bay moved slightly north-northeastwards over the same area and was centred at 6 am today about 605 km southwest of Mongla port, 635 km southwest of Payra port, 770 km west-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port and 790 km west- southwest of Chattogram port, it said.

Local administration, however, has taken all-out preparation to face ‘Fani’.

Talking to BSS, Khulna Deputy Commissioner Helal Hossain said a total of 325 cyclone shelters and 114 medical teams have been kept ready with necessary medicine and water purifier plants to face disaster situation after making the landfall of Fani.

At least 3,500 volunteers and special teams of army, navy, coast guard, police and answers are ready to help people before and aftermath of the cyclone, he said.

Water Development Board also has taken highest preparation to face any situation like reconstruction of embankment if needed.