The low-lying areas of the coastal regions in the country are being flooded as the rivers are inflating, causing three to four feet high tidal surges due to the effect of the impending cyclone Yaas.
At least 16 villages of Patuakhali district have been inundated as water is flowing through damaged embankments in Kalapara and Rangabali upazila of the district.
According to our local correspondent, water from the rivers in the district flowed 23cm above the danger level today during high tide.
Around eight thousand people are currently stranded at different villages of the district.
Local authorities including Rangabali UNO Masfakur Rahman and Kolapara UNO Abu Hasnat Md Shahidul Huq have assured UNB that necessary steps are being taken to rescue the stranded people.
Several villages in Satkhira including Gabura,Koikhali, Munshiganj and Padma Pukur Union of the district have already been flooded as water levels in the Chuna, Kholpetua, and Kopotakkho rivers adjacent to the Sundarbans have been on the rise since Tuesday morning,
The villagers are working very hard to repair the damaged embankments, reports our local correspondent.
Satkhira UNO ANM Abu Jafar Gibri told UNB that around 145 cyclone centres are ready to give place to 75,000 people in the district.
He said that necessary steps are being taken to bring people into the cyclone centers.
The district administration also decided to use 1,500 schools, colleges and madrasas to rehabilitate people if required.
Meanwhile in Bagerhat, the water level of rivers surrounding the district including Daratana and Posur at full tide was ranging from 2.60 -2.65 meters, which was significantly higher than normal times.
This resulted in flooding of lowland areas in the district leaving many families stranded at Chargram, Bargi, Sonatala and many other places, reports our local correspondent.
Bagerhat Additional Deputy Commissioner Khandaker Rizaul Karim said, “ We have build 344 cyclone shelters for the people in need. Besides, the district administration formed 85 medical teams, a group of 150 volunteers and established 10 control rooms across the district to coordinate rescue operations.”
Besides, our correspondent also reported that many areas of the Sundarbans have been inundated due to water level going up in rivers surrounding it.
However, no incidents of wild animals being affected have been reported so far.
The forest department has instructed the evacuation of its personnel, working in eight highly risky patrol outposts in Bagerhat in the Sundarbans .
The coastal residents adjacent to the Sundarbans in Khulna have started taking preparation to go into shelters .
Low lands in Barguna have also been flooded due to the impact of cyclone Yaas.
According to Barguna Deputy Commissioner Habibur Rahman, “ The concerned authorities have already started to repair damaged embankments. The district administration has prepared around 642 cyclone shelters ahead of the storm.’
Meanwhile, residents of the lowlands in Bhola of Barishal are also facing waterlogging over the same reasons.
Saiful Islam Badal, the Divisional Commissioner of Barishal has said that around 4,915 shelters are ready to provide shelter to 20 lakh residents of the district.