United News of Bangladesh

At least 51 people were killed and 39 others injured in floods, hill runoff and landslides that have affected seven districts, according to the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry. The flood-affected districts are Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Moulvibazar and Habiganj. Among the fatalities, Cox's Bazar recorded the highest number with 28 deaths, followed by Chattogram with 13, Bandarban six, Rangamati three and Moulvibazar one. Of the 39 injured, 24 were reported in Cox's Bazar, 12 in Chattogram, two in Bandarban and one in Khagrachhari. The flood-hit areas included 59 upazilas , 368 unions and 12 municipalities, said the ministry in its updated report. To accommodate displaced people, authorities have opened 1,049 shelter centres across the affected districts. A total of 38,422 people have taken refuge at these shelters as relief and emergency response operations continue in the flood-hit areas. The government is continuing relief distribution and other emergency assistance for people affected by the floods, hill runoff and landslides. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has allocated Tk 4,60 crore in cash and 8,950 metric tonnes of rice for all 64 districts across the country since July 7 to support people affected by floods and other disasters. According to a ministry statement issued on Sunday, the humanitarian assistance has been provided in phases to strengthen relief operations in disaster-hit areas. The ministry on Sunday also announced fresh allocations for Chattogram and Rangamati. Chattogram received an additional Tk 25 lakh and 500 metric tonnes of rice, while Rangamati was allocated Tk 500,000 and 100 metric tonnes of rice. Besides, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed in 11 flood-affected districts across the country to assist flood victims. BGB Headquarters Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam on Sunday said BGB personnel are carrying out rescue operations in coordination with local administrations in flood-hit Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Chattogram, Feni, Sylhet, Habiganj, Sunamganj, Netrokona and Jamalpur districts. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed all relevant agencies and field-level administration to remain on maximum alert and work in close coordination to protect lives and property affected by widespread waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall, and ensure prompt relief distribution and healthcare services. The directive came during a virtual meeting from the Prime Minister's Office with divisional commissioners, deputy inspectors general (DIGs) of police, deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs), civil surgeons and other field-level officials from all eight divisions. During the meeting, officials briefed the Prime Minister on the latest waterlogging situation in their respective areas, including the extent of damage, the condition of shelter centres, rescue operations, relief distribution and healthcare services. UNB Chattogram correspondent reports: The overall flood situation in parts of Chattogram showed signs of improvement on Sunday following a reduction in rainfall and train services on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar route resumed after remaining suspended for five days. The Tourist Express left Chattogram Railway Station for Cox’s Bazar at noon after floodwaters receded from the railway tracks, restoring rail connectivity on the route, according to railway sources. Although flood situation improved slightly, vast areas of Satkania, Lohagara, Chandanaish, Anwara and Banshkhali upazilas remain inundated, leaving hundreds of thousands of people stranded.

The local administration has prepared over 1000 shelters in the Chattogram district as the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha is likely to cross Cox’s Bazar-Myanmar’s north coast by 6 pm on Sunday. The authorities concerned will start the evacuation process from this afternoon, said Deputy Commissioner Abul Bashar Fakhruzzaman. According to the sources at local administration, the authorities concerned have opened 530 permanent and 500 temporary cyclone centres in the district where 5,01,110 people can be accommodated. Besides, 8880 volunteers under Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) and 8000 more under Red Crescent Society are ready to evacuate people. Also read: Cyclone Mocha: Maritime ports asked to hoist great danger signal 8 Fire service and civil defence, Navy, Coast Guard rescue boats and medical teams with adequate equipment are also ready. Among the cyclone centres, 112 were opened in Fatikchhari, 18 in Hathazari, 85 in Mirsarai, 217 in Rangunia, two in Raozan, 116 in Sandwip, 25 in Sitakunda, 122 in Banshkhali, eight in Boalkhali, six in Chandanish, 126 in Patiya, four in Satkania, 58 in Anwara, 28 in Lohagarah, and 10 in Karnaphuli upazilas of the district. The local administration has provided dry foods, drinking water and cash at the centres. Besides, 94 cyclone centres were opened in Chattogram port city where 608 metric tonnes of rice, 3.5 metric tonnes of biscuits, 3.402 metric tonnes of dry cakes, 30,000 packets of ORSaline and 60,000 tablets for purifying water were allocated. “We are ready to tackle Cyclone Mocha and all the upazila Nirbahi officers and upazila project implementation officers have been asked to take necessary steps,” said Fakhruzzaman. Cox’s Bazar and adjoining coastal regions will experience the peripheral effect of the very severe cyclonic storm by Saturday evening, said a special bulletin of the Met Office. The coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Bhola and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge — 8-12 feet above normal tide. Maritime ports of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram have been advised to keep hoisted great danger signal 8 while maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal 4.  

More than 37,000 people still remained in shelter centres in flood-hit Sylhet after devastating floods swept through several parts of Bangladesh leaving 95 people dead.According to the Sylhet district administration, there are now 439 shelters in Sylhet district where 37,176 people are still staying in these shelters.Almost 30 lakh people have been rendered homeless and as many as 40,091 houses destroyed in the recent floods in Sylhet, sources said on Thursday. Read: Flood: 3 more deaths pushes up toll to 95All the 13 upazilas of the district, including five municipalities, have been affected.The district administration has distributed relief materials among the flood victims.Sources said Tk 1.92 crore in cash, 1,612 metric tonnes of rice and 19,918 packets of dry food have been distributed among the flood-affected people in the district.According to the Water Development Board, the water level of Surma River has gone down by 10 cm at Kanaighat Point and 4 cm at Sylhet Point at 12pm today. However, the water level of the Kushiyara River is stable. Read: Govt apathy compounds flood victims’ miseries: BNPMeanwhile, it drizzled in Sylhet on Friday as well. However, there is no possibility of water rise in these rivers due to this light rain, said AKM Niloy Pasha, deputy assistant engineer of Sylhet Water Development Board.Besides, rains are likely over this region for three more days, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

Directorate Of Secondary and  Higher Education(DSHE) has directed the concerned authorities to use all nearby educational institutions as temporary shelters in the flood hit areas. Also read: Netrakona’s rail link with other parts of country snapped due to flood A notification signed by Director General of the DSHE Nehal Ahmed in this regard was issued on Saturday. The notice asked the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to use the school and college buildings as shelters for the flood-affected people. Also read: Flood situation turns grim: Power supply to Sylhet, Sunamganj suspended

Authorities here said Sunday they are readying 814 shelters to move people should cyclone Yash hit the south-western coast. School buildings will mostly be used as cyclone shelters along the coast, said District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Azizul Haque Joardar. He said 349 shelters have been set up until Saturday. More shelters are being prepared. The shelters will accommodate people at half the capacity maintaining Covid-19 health restrictions, he said. Read: Another cyclone coming, alerts PM Hasina Already 114 medical teams have been kept ready for emergency response, he said. Adequate quantity of dry food, rice and pulses are being readied besides possible financial help. The program will be implemented as per the government instructions, he further said. Cyclone Yash, still at its brewing stage, might hit the coastal area after Tuesday, the meteorological office in Dhaka said.  According to the meteorological office, a low pressure has formed in and around the east-central Bay of Bengal. This will condense and create depression which can later turn into deep depression and cyclones. This could hit the coast of Bangladesh. It can’t be yet ascertained which areas would the cyclone hit but meteorologists believe the cyclone could hit the south and southwest of the country and is more likely to pass through the southern side of the Sundarbans. However, direction may change. He called on the coastal people to be alert about the cyclone.