523 centres ready to shelter 5 lakh people in Ctg

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Md Mominur Rahman today (October 24, 2022) said 523 shelters have been kept ready since cyclone Sitrang has been approaching towards the coastal areas.

Apart from this, eight Mujib forts (shelters) have also been prepared for the evacuees.

Evacuation of five lakh people will begin if the cautionary signal at the ports is raised, our Chattogram staff correspondent reports.

More than 8,000 volunteers of CPP's Red Crescent have been informing locals through loudspeakers and will work to evacuate people to safe place, the DC said.

Also, the lighterage vessels in the sea and rivers were moved near the Karnaphuli Bridge, he added.

The foreigners who have been working in the areas, were also taken to the shelters. Some of the fishermen living in the coastal areas are being taken to safer places, he also said.

Asked about landslide, he replied, "Our executive magistrates and volunteers are ready to evacuate people to shelters if rain continues."

The members of the law enforcement agencies have been alerted about the situation.

Meanwhile, due to the impact of the cyclone, rainfall continues in the port city.