Our Correspondent :
Breaching the embankments gushing water started entering several areas of Gabura, Koikhali, Munshiganj and Padmapukur unions under Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira district under the infleunce of Cyclone Yass from Tuesday afternoon.
Local people were found trying desperately to repair the affected embankments.
People in the unions under Shyamnagar upazila have been witnessing rains along with gusty winds from early Tuesday afternoon. As the rains continue to increase, the entire upazila have been covered by darkness. Water in the river has increased by three feet during the last 24 hours.
Steps have also been taken to shift the local people to safer places. People in the risky areas have taken preparations to the cyclone shelters with their movable property.
Besides, volunteers have cautioned people through miking at Protapnagar, Sriula, Anulia and Khajra under Ashshuni upazila and Padmapukur, Gabura, Burigoalini, Atulia, Koikhali, Ishwaripur, Ramzan Nagar, Kashmari and Munshiganj Harin Nagar area adjacent to the Sundarbans to move to safer places.
Satkhira district administration said 145 makeshift cyclone shelters have been kept readied. Some 1,500 educational institutions have been turned into makeshift cyclone shelters to accommodate people. Of those,103 cyclone shelters have the capacity of accommodating 75,000 people, said upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) ANM Abujar Gifari.
Besides, the UNO said some 1,500 schools and colleges would be used as shelter centres. Maintaining strict health guidelines, the affected people will be provided food and medical treatment during the COVID period.
On the other hand, embankments of the Water Development Board (WDB) are on high risks of breaching. At least, 55 points of the embankments of Shyamnagar and Ashasuni upazilas are facing the serious risks of breaching. People living in coastal areas are fearing tidal surges from Cyclone Yaas.
Meanwhile, all the members of eight patrol outposts of the Forest Department in satkhira Range under West Sundarbans have been directed to move to safer places. MA Hasan, assistant forest official, said they have made necessary arrangements to shift the members of eight patrol outposts to safer places by water vessels.
Meanwhile, several low-lying villages in the Barisal region have been inundated and thousands are suffering from waterlogging as rivers in Patuakhali, Bhola, and Barguna were flowing over danger levels due to strong winds and tides.
Tidal surges damaged embankments in Patuakhali’s Kalapara and Rangabali upazilas, flooding several villages, according to media reports.
Meanwhile, according to the divisional commissioner’s office, the district and upazila level administrations have taken preparations to evacuate about two million people in the 4,915 permanent and temporary shelters under the division.
Local officials have been instructed to complete all kinds of preparatory work as soon as possible. In addition, every district administration has already opened a control room to tackle cyclone Yaas.
Sources at the divisional commissioner’s office have said that separate locations based on the sizes of families have been selected to ensure social distancing in the shelters.
All sorts of Covid-19 safety facilities would be there, they added.
According to Upazila administration sources, washrooms and toilets of the cyclone shelters and educational institutions are suitable for use.
Alternative arrangements were being made for potable water and electricity if there is no electricity during the cyclone.
