Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on Monday afternoon directed the police to be vigilant in dealing with Cyclone 'Sitrang'.

The IGP has given the directive in a virtual meeting with range DIGs, Commissioners of Metropolitan Police, Specialized Naval Police, Highway Police, Tourist Police and Superintendents of Police of Coastal Districts from Police Headquarters in the afternoon.

He also instructed the police officials to evacuate the people of the disaster areas to shelters in coordination with the local administration and other agencies.

The IGP said that necessary security of shelters, important offices and establishments have to be ensured during disasters. Besides, it must also ensure that rescue teams, ambulances, emergency medicines, relief supplies, etc. reach their destinations quickly after the cyclone.

Addressing the police officials, the IGP said that they have to protect their lives, police installations, arms-ammunition and other equipment from the cyclone. Besides, the overall safety of the people should be ensured along with the protection of life and property.

The people of the coastal areas have already been shifted to the shelters by the initiative of the police after getting a glimpse of the cyclone and the miking is continuing by requesting others to go to the shelters.

A control room has been set up at the police headquarters for round-the-clock monitoring of Cyclone 'Sitrang'.

Cyclone Sitrang is likely to intensify further, move in a north, north-easterly direction and cross Barishal-Chattogram coast near Khepupara by midnight or early Tuesday, the latest Met Office bulletin said.