Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu on Monday informed Parliament that the government is taking steps to plant palmyra palm trees, set up farmer shelters and install lightning rods in lightning-prone areas to reduce casualties from thunderstorms.
“Initiatives are being taken to plant palmyra palm trees and install farmer shelters and lightning rods to reduce risk in lightning-prone areas,” he said, while replying to a scripted question from ruling party lawmaker Shirin Sultana (Women Seat-2).
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The minister said the government is implementing various awareness and technology-based programmes through coordinated efforts involving the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, the Department of Disaster Management, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, local administration and other relevant agencies.
As part of awareness activities, public understanding of lightning risks and safety measures is being enhanced through campaigns in mass media, social media, distribution of leaflets and posters and training programmes, he said.
“As part of the technological system, lightning forecasts are being provided by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department through a modern weather observation and forecasting system,” said Dulu.
He said the government is also disseminating advance warning messages through social media platforms, mass media outlets and local administrative channels to alert people in this regard.
These early warning messages are being broadcast through various media platforms as well as through the Integrated Voice Response (IVR) system, said the minister.