Don’t panic, govt stands by you

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday inspected the flood situation in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrakona and their adjacent areas.

She witnessed the flood situation as the helicopter carrying her hovered low over the affected areas.

Later, the PM landed at the Sylhet Osmani International Airport. She joined a views-exchange meeting with the divisional and district administration officials and local Awami League leaders at the Sylhet Circuit House.

Addressing the meeting, Hasina said the AL always stands by the people during any disaster.

"Be it in government or opposition, Awami League along with its leaders and activists always stands by the people and work for them. During cyclone, flooding or any other disaster, we always stay by the people and we will continue to do so."

The meeting was organised to review recent flood situation in Sylhet division and rehabilitation of the affected people.

Hasina, also the AL president, said her party during any disaster reaches the affected people faster than others. "Awami League will continue its work for the people."

She expressed her gratitude towards the local administration, the army and leaders and activists of the AL and its associated bodies who worked on rescuing flood victims and distribution of relief putting their lives at risk.

Hasina reiterated her assurance that all flood-hit people would be rehabilitated. "Don't panic and don't worry about the flood. All of you [affected people] will be rehabilitated."

She said she has directed all the authorities concerned, particularly the field level administration, to take prompt measures to ease sufferings of the flood victims.

Mentioning her experiences of the 1998 deluge, the PM said steps should be taken to arrange dry food for the affected people.

She also advised the affected people to somehow harvest rainwater.

Hasina asked the authorities concerned to distribute an adequate number of water purifying tablets, required medicines and saline among the flood-hit people.

The PM stressed the need for constructing elevated roads instead of building ones filling land in haor areas like Sylhet, Sunamganj and Kishoreganj for smooth transportation of the people and goods during such disasters and ensuring their durability.

Hasina asked the authorities concerned to make sure that water cannot enter silos and food can be transported easily from the storehouses during floods.

She instructed the administration to launch a cleaning campaign in the flood affected areas to protect people from infectious diseases like diarrhoea and fever after the water starts receding.

The PM said the middle part of the country might experience flooding in the Bangla month of Shraban while the southern part in Bhadra.

"The entire Sylhet region has experienced flooding three times in a row. This flood is not the last one. So, we should always remain prepared to face floods."

The PM handed over assistance to deputy commissioners of Sylhet and Sunamganj from her Relief and Welfare Fund. She later gave away relief items to some affected people.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin and Deputy Minister for Water Resources AKM Enamul Hoque Shameem accompanied the PM during her visit to the flood-affected areas.

At the meeting, the deputy commissioner of Sunamganj handed over a framed-picture of baby boy "Plabon" to the PM.

The baby was born on June 18 in the shelter of the Sunamganj DC office and the premier herself named him.

Earlier in the day, the prime minister offered ziarat at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) in Sylhet.