Cyclone Sitrang: 1,010 shelter centres ready in 3 districts 

Some 1,010 shelter centres are ready in three coastal districts -- Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira -- to face the impacts of Cyclone Sitrang.

In Khulna, district administration prepared 409 cyclone shelters and asked the members of disaster prevention committees of nine upazilas to remain alert in this regard, reports our Khulna correspondent quoting Md Moniruzzaman Talukder, deputy commissioner of the district.

"All kinds of preparations are being made to deal with the cyclone. Work is underway to keep emergency dry food ready, to ensure the safety of those who will come to the cyclone shelters and to provide first aid to them," he told The Daily Star.

He added that concerned authorities have been instructed to be alert so that those who are at risk can be safely evacuated. All preparations will be completed by tomorrow, he said.

Photo: Dipankar Roy/file

In Bagerhat, the administration readied 344 shelter centres.

Bagerhat district Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Azizur Rahman told our local correspondent that they have taken complete preparation to deal with the cyclone.

"People living at risky areas will be evacuated after getting instructions. Besides, 298 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 4.8 lakh were allocated in this regard. Instructions will be given to the concerned Upazila Nirbahi Officers to distribute those when the need arises," he added.

Lt Commander Md Mohiuddin Zaman, staff officer (Operation) of Coast Guard Mongla West Zone said they requested people of coastal areas to remain alert.

In Satkhira, 257 shelter centres, some 5,000 volunteers and 87 medical teams were kept ready, reports a correspondent quoting Mohammad Humayun Kabir, deputy commissioner of Satkhira.

Meanwhile, the Civil Surgeon's Office of Chattogram has cancelled the leave of all the officers and employees of the Chattogram Health Department until further notice and asked them to be ready to address the impacts of the cyclone, reports our Chattogram staff correspondent quoting Dr Ilias Chowdhury, civil surgeon of Chattogram.

Several medical teams were kept ready as well.