Police and Coast Guard members rescued 30 fishers from Meghna river in Barishal yesterday after they called emergency helpline number 999 seeking help amid strong winds caused by cyclonic storm “Bulbul”.

The fisherfolk’s sand lifting dredger got stuck in Miahchar area of Meghna river during the cyclonic storm that was crossing the coastal area of Bangladesh.

They would have drowned as several anchors of their dredger were torn apart due to the storm, Sohel Rana, assistant inspector general of police headquarters, told The Daily Star.

One Ramjan, who was in the dredger, made a quick call to the national emergency helpline – 999 seeking help, Sohel Rana said, adding that the dispatcher immediately informed officer-in-charge of Hijla Police Station in the district. They also informed Coast Guard members who were immediately rushed to the spot with an engine run vehicle to rescue them.

“We were able to save the lives of 30 fishermen after two hours of rescue operation”, the top police official said.

At least seven people were killed in different coastal districts as cyclone ‘Bulbul’ lashed Khulna and adjoining southwestern part of the country on Sunday before weakening into a deep depression.