Bhola: A total of 13,800 volunteers have been mobilized in the Bhola coastal region as the meteorological department has issued a warning about potential squally weather conditions that may impact the maritime ports, North Bay, and adjacent coastal areas of the country. "A total of 13,800 volunteers have been kept ready to face unpleasant weather at the coastal zones," stated M Shahabuddin, deputy director of the district disaster management programme under the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, in addition to the volunteers, 869 flood shelters and 19 killa have been prepared to safeguard people and animals during any potential disaster. A meeting of the district disaster management committee is scheduled for tomorrow morning.
The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number three due to deep convection occurring over the North Bay and nearby coastal areas. Meanwhile, the water levels in the rivers of the Bhola district have surged since morning, prompting the Bangladesh Inter Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to impose restrictions on water transport movement to and from the coastal areas.
Additionally, the Water Development Board has kept its officials on high alert, prepared to undertake immediate repairs of the entire embankment, including the Bhola town protection barrage, in preparation for a potential storm. All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been instructed to move closer to the coast and operate with caution until further notice.