Eight Community radio stations in the coastal belt have started broadcasting as protection of Cyclone Mocha may hit Bangladesh's coast as the tropical storm has been forming in the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas.
Information is being provided to the community regarding preparedness for the most vulnerable group of people and, crops and assets as well. The stations broadcast information about Cyclone shelters and other disaster response facilities in the locality. All the community radio stations had been providing weather updates since May 11, 2023.
The stations are maintaining full-time liaison with the disaster monitoring cells and disaster control room at District and Upazila levels, to get the latest update on the weather situation due to the cyclone `Mocha’. They are also keeping contact with Red Crescent members, Scouts, and disaster volunteers at local levels. Besides, the members of Radio Listener Clubs are doing awareness-raising campaigns regarding preparedness within their community, neighbours, and relatives.
Each Community radio station has deployed 2-3 expert broadcasters to be responsible for continuously communicating with Upazila and District Disaster Management Committee.
With the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Community radio stations are broadcasting special bulletin updates from Bangladesh Meteorological Department related to Cyclone `Sitrang’. Radio broadcasting will continue till the end of the emergency situation.
The community radio stations have had active representation in information shared through radio broadcasting and mobile phone with the radio listeners club, who are representing their own locality. And broadcasting, News, Public Service Announcements (PSA), with disaster-related issues.
The community radio stations in the coastal zone namely Community Radio Nalta 99.2 (Kaliganj, Satkhira), Community Radio Lokobetar 99.2 (Barguna Sadar), Community Rural Radio: Krishi Radio 98.2(Amtali, Barguna), Community Radio Meghna 99.00 (Charfasion, Bhola Island), Community Radio Sagor Dwip 99.2 ( Hatia, Noakhali ), Community Radio Naf 99.2 (Tekhnaf, Cox’s Bazar) and Community Radio Sagargiri 99.2 (Sitakunda, Chittagong), and Community Radio Saikat 99.0FM (Cox’s Bazar). The radio stations have their preparation to keep their stations on-air for 24 hours. Generators and fuels are reserved for alternative power supply due to disruption in the notational power supply grid and hamper the broadcasting.
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is maintaining full-time contact and coordination with the coastal community radio stations.
Meanwhile, the maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been asked to hoist the great danger signal 10 as very severe cyclonic storm Mocha over east central Bay and adjoining area moved North-Northeastwards over the same area.
Besides, the maritime port of Chattogram has been advised to hoist great danger signal 8 while maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local warning signal 4.