In preparation for Cyclone Remal, 500 shelters and 290 medical teams have been kept prepared in Chattogram, said the District Disaster Management Committee. The decision to keep those shelters and teams prepared was made at an emergency meeting of the committee held last night. Furthermore, the Fire Service and Civil Defense has canceled the leave of all officials and employees from nine stations, mobilizing 270 personnel for immediate response. A special control room has also been formed at Agrabad Fire Service Station in the port city. Rakib Hasan, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Chattogram district administration, informed that around 500 shelters were being prepared, 290 medical teams were formed, and all executive officers and local union chairpersons and members in the coastal areas of Chattogram were on high alert. Read more: Cyclone Remal moves northwards over Bay According to the Civil Surgeon’s Office, a medical team has been assigned to each union, five teams to each upazila health complex, and five teams are on standby at Chattogram General Hospital. Dr. Md. Elias Chowdhury, district Civil Surgeon, said that 200 teams at the union level, 75 teams across 15 upazila health complexes, nine teams at urban dispensaries, one team for school health, and five teams at the general hospital were formed to face the impact of the cyclonic storm. Moreover, all doctors, officers, and employees under the Civil Surgeon’s Office have been instructed to remain at their posts while an emergency control room has also been opened, he said. Dinmoni Sharma, Deputy Director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defense, informed that the fire service has started operations in various coastal areas. Read more: Cyclone Remal: Biman suspends all Cox's Bazar bound flights Sunday Announcements are being made through loudspeakers urging residents to move to safe locations before the storm hits. Operations in the city will commence based on weather conditions, he said, adding that 270 fire personnel across nine stations are prepared, with all leaves canceled. The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm Saturday night, with the name 'Remal.' The cyclone is predicted to make landfall today, affecting the coasts of Bangladesh and India’s West Bengal. The Meteorological Department reported that the depression has been moving north and northeast at 15 kilometers per hour over the past six hours. Gaining strength over the sea before hitting the coast between Khepupara, Bangladesh, and Sagar Island, West Bengal, it will hit with speeds of 110 to 120 kilometers per hour, with wind gusts reaching up to 135 kilometers per hour. Read more: Cyclone Preparedness: Safety measures to follow before, during and after disaster

Cyclones are powerful and destructive natural phenomena that can significantly damage life, property, and infrastructure. Being adequately prepared and staying aware of the necessary precautions can greatly minimize the destructive impacts of cyclones on lives and properties.  Unfortunately, unpreparedness and ignorance often exacerbate the effects of these disasters, leading to greater devastation. This article will explore essential cautionary measures before, during, and after a cyclone to save human lives, livestock, and properties. Precautions before Cyclone Remember, each cyclone is unique, and the level of preparedness required may vary. Stay vigilant, follow the advice of local authorities, and prioritize safety.  Read more: Cyclone Remal: 500 shelters, 290 medical teams ready in Ctg Taking proactive measures before a cyclone can significantly reduce its impact and protect lives and property. Stay informed: Regularly monitor weather forecasts and warnings from reliable sources to stay updated about the cyclone's progress and potential impact on your area. Develop an emergency plan: Prepare an emergency kit with necessary supplies such as food, water, medication, flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit. Discuss and practice evacuation routes and procedures with your family. Secure your property: Trim tree branches, secure loose objects, reinforce doors and windows, and inspect the roof for potential vulnerabilities. In addition, consider installing storm shutters or protective coverings. Prepare communication channels: Keep mobile phones charged, have a battery-operated radio, and store important documents in waterproof bags. Share contact information with family and friends and establish a communication plan in case of separation. Evacuation readiness: Familiarize yourself with local evacuation routes and shelters. Plan for the needs of elderly or disabled family members and pets. Follow evacuation orders issued by local authorities promptly. Safety drills: Conduct regular safety drills with your family members to ensure everyone knows what to do during a cyclone. Practice tasks such as shutting off utilities, assembling the emergency kit, and swiftly reaching the designated safe area. Secure important documents: Make digital copies of important documents such as identification cards, passports, insurance policies, and property deeds. Store them securely in the cloud or portable device to facilitate easy access and recovery. Stock up on supplies: Maintain a sufficient supply of non-perishable food items, dry food, bottled water, and necessary medications for several days. In addition, consider the needs of infants, elderly family members, and individuals with special dietary requirements. Stay hydrated and have snacks: Keep an ample supply of drinking water and non-perishable snacks to sustain you during the cyclone and its aftermath.  Read more: 10 Most Earthquake-prone Countries around the World

Cyclone Mocha is likely to hit the coastal areas of Bangladesh, especially Chattogram, Teknaf and Cox's Bazar, on Sunday (May 14, 2023). The Department of Posts and Telecommunications has already instructed all the subordinate agencies, including the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, to complete necessary preparations to ensure that all types of telecommunications services continue during the disaster and post-disaster period to deal with the cyclone, according to a press release. The BTRC has also directed all the licensees concerned and all telecom operators providing telecommunication services to form emergency response teams and set up control rooms on Saturday. Read More: This is how Cyclone Mocha was named, plus all you need to know A 10-member emergency response team has been formed by the BTRC. The team will take measures in coordination with the telecom operators to ensure uninterrupted service, including round-the-clock monitoring of the telecommunications service system in the cyclone-affected areas, and will continue close contact with the concerned district and upazila administrations. Besides, the BTRC has also started a control room with three members. The two control room numbers are 01552202854 and 01552202886. The BTRC control room is coordinating between the monitoring team formed by the BTRC and how the licensees working in the coastal areas are working to deal with the Mocha. Besides, mobile operators, NTTNs, ISPs and other licensed officials concerned are taking necessary measures to inform the control room if they face any problem in taking action in the coastal areas, said the release. Read More: Cyclone Mocha may cross Cox’s Bazar between 9am and 3pm today, no possibility of turning into super cyclonic storm: BMD In view of the BTRC directive, the telecom operators have set up control rooms in their respective offices to ensure uninterrupted telecommunication services in the coastal areas and surrounding areas and adequate batteries, diesel generators, portable generators and additional vehicles have been arranged to travel during the disaster to ensure power backup to keep their network system active. Mobile operator Grameenphone has taken the initiative to provide special packages to provide free telecommunication services to the people of cyclone-affected areas. Grameenphone's emergency contact numbers are 01711505368, 0171108110101, 01711081804. Banglalink has said that special measures will be taken to make it easier to recharge mobile phones along with text messages and social media campaigns to make people aware of the cyclone situation. Banglalink's emergency contact numbers are 0196244565, 01911310795, 01962424706. Read More: Cyclone Mocha starts crossing Cox’s Bazar with speed of up to 215 kmph: BMD Robi customers will get emergency balance, minutes and internet by dialing *8# at any time. Robi's hotline number is 0181718368, 01819210350 Teletalk has taken steps to ensure commercial power supply along with adequate fuel supply by removing mechanical defects of all generators to ensure power supply at core site and hub site. Besides, a response team has been formed and a control room has been set up. Emergency Response Team Numbers- 01550155045, 015505155034, 0155015053. Control Room Number-02333315900, 0155515211. Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) has opened a control room to deal with the problem. The contact number of the control room is 0248317788. Read More: Cyclone Preparedness: Safety measures to follow before, during and after disaster The emergency contact number of the tower construction company edotco-, 01871006730. The summit's emergency contact number is 01791040385, 01711080484. Kirtankhola's emergency contact number is 01401159572 (Chattogram and Cox's Bazar) 01713479912 (Barisal). Frontier's Emergency Contact Number- 01810169540, 01810169548. ISPs, NTTNs and other telecom operators have taken steps and are constantly trying to keep their networks active in the areas likely to hit the cyclone during the disaster.

A curriculum on community-based Cyclone Early Warning Systems has been launched at a ceremony at Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner’s office in Cox’s Bazar district town. Officials from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), which leads the national Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP), launched the curriculum on Friday night. Read: Preparedness strengthened ahead of cyclone, monsoon season in Cox's Bazar: IOM The ceremony was attended by Secretary of MoDMR Md. Mohsin; Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Shah Rezwan Hayat; CPP Director Ahmadul Haque; Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar district Mamunur Rashid;  Representatives from BRAC as well as Professor Dr. ASM Maksud Kamal, Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Dhaka; Sheila Grudem, WFP Emergency Coordinator in Cox’s Bazar. Jointly organized by the government, WFP and BRAC, the event was told that Bangladesh is no stranger to natural disasters; from Tropical Cyclone Bhola pre-independence to Tropical Cyclone Amphan in 2020 and the many floods and natural disasters in between, the people of Bangladesh have proven their resilience to climate shocks. Since 1970, systems and protocols have been developed to save lives and improve recovery time for communities. One of these developments is the implementation of Early Warning Systems, an essential part of disaster risk reduction that gives time to individuals and communities to prepare for an expected disaster. Read: Cyclone Yaas disrupts normal life in 23 chars of Bhola A product of the collaboration between MoDMR and WFP, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and BRAC’s Humanitarian Leadership Academy, this manual, in conjunction with training, will aim to strengthen the capacity of volunteers to disseminate early warnings to communities across all coastal areas where the Cyclone Preparedness Programme is active. “Strengthening emergency preparedness is the best way to protect our communities against natural disasters and climate change,” said Md. Mohsin, Secretary of MoDMR. “We are grateful for the support of WFP and USAID, which helped bring this curriculum to life,” Mohsin added. “We are thankful to the government for taking the lead in developing this curriculum, which will help improve Bangladesh’s early warning systems and should serve as a valuable resource for all humanitarian actors involved in emergency preparedness,” said Sheila Grudem, WFP Emergency Coordinator in Cox’s Bazar. “The new curriculum will help our volunteer capacity development a big deal,” said Ahmadul Haque, CPP Director. Read:Yaas: How Bhasan Char prepared for the cyclone Increasing resilience and reducing the damage caused by disasters is a key priority for WFP due to the profound impact disasters have on food-insecure and vulnerable populations around the world. As part of WFP’s disaster risk reduction programmes in Bangladesh and in collaboration with the MoDMR, since Page 2 of 2 2019 WFP has also rehabilitated 70 cyclone shelters and improved access to them through roads, bridges, and culverts, with support from USAID.

Cyclone preparedness is now essential as several cyclones have hit over the past decade. To increase the severity of ongoing coronavirus, it is as if cyclone ‘Yaas’ is coming towards Bangladesh. It originates from the North Andaman Sea and the adjoining East-Central Bay of Bengal under the Indian Ocean. The depression formed here could continue to intensify and turn into a severe cyclone by May 24. It may then move northwest and reach the Khulna coast of Bangladesh on 26 May.  Let’s take a look at the necessary steps that need to be taken in advance to minimize the damage caused by the cyclone. Necessary preparations to deal with cyclone. The pre-cyclone initiatives In the case of rural areas 1. When building a house, make sure that it is as high as possible above the ground. Lay iron or wooden pillars and frames on a strong foundation. Then cover it with a thatch. Be careful when using tin in tents as tin can fly during storms and injure people and cattle. In this case, you can use Tin with a thickness of 0.5 mm and Zehuk.  2. With the storm in mind, plant coconut, banana, bamboo, palm, firewood, and other hardy plants in the yard.  3. Keep radios on all vessels including fishing boats, launches, and trawlers. Make it a habit to listen to the weather forecast all the time while staying in the river or sea.  4. During the cyclone season, keep dry food such as parched rice, flattened rice, biscuits, etc. that can be stored at home for a few days. 5. People in which area will go to which shelter, where the cattle will be, fixed everything in advance during the cyclone. Make sure you know all the safe places near and far as possible. Don’t forget about social distance due to corona. The shelter-providing organizations have to keep in mind that people gather at a sufficient distance from each shelter.  6. Always carry some first aid kits such as bandages, Dettol, etc. with you if possible.  7. When going to a shelter, decide in advance what to take with you and what to bury in the ground. You can leave the essential commodities such as rice, lentils, matches, dried wood, water alum, sugar, regularly used medicines, books, bandages, cotton, orsaline, documents, money, etc. packed in waterproof polythene bags and buried in the ground. 8. Check the condition of your houses as soon as you get a cyclone warning. To make it stronger, bury a pole in the ground and tie different parts of the house with ropes.  9. Get in touch with CPP (Cyclone Preparedness Program) volunteers as soon as you receive the signal. 10. You must put out the fire before leaving the house.  11. Open the head of the tubewell. Then cover the open part well with polythene. This will prevent dirt from entering the tubewell.  12. Rainwater is pure and edible. So make arrangements in advance to retain rainwater after the cyclone. Keep water in a large earthen pot or drum and cover its mouth well so that no insects or dirt can enter.   Also Read: How Cyclone Yaas was named In the case of urban areas  1. Don’t be alarmed by the news of the cyclone on online social media, TV, and radio. Listen to the instructions calmly and act accordingly.  2. Keep your power bank, charger light, torchlight fully charged. Keep candles and lighters with yourself. 3. If your home is a tin shed or if you live downstairs, wrap important papers in waterproof boxes with tape and polythene. Don’t put multiplugs on the floor.  4. Gas, electricity, water, and phone networks across the city may be shut down for security reasons. The road may be closed. So keep a sufficient amount of dry food in the collection. 5. Remove flower tubs on the railing, outside machinery of AC on the sunshade, construction equipment, and keep them in a safe place. If you have a building under construction next to your home, you need to be extra careful.  Also Read: Cyclone Yaas: Maritime ports in Bangladesh asked to hoist signal no 2