Cyclonic storm Remal kills 10, affects 37 lakh people

DHAKA, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibbur Rahman today said the severe cyclone Remal that made landfall on the Bangladeshi coast on Sunday night killed 10 people in the coastal districts of Bangladesh affecting over 37 lakh people and destroying thousands of houses. He disclosed the information in a press conference at his ministry conference room at the Secretariat this afternoon. Mohibbur Rahman said 10 people were killed in Khulna, Satkhira, Barishal, Patuakhali, Bhola and Chattogram districts while 37, 58,096 people have been affected by the cyclone. Of the deaths, three people each in Barishal and Bhola, and one each in Khulna, Satkhira, Patuakhali and Chattogram. The state minister said 19 districts have been affected in the cyclone. The districts are Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna, Bhola, Feni, Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Narail, Gopalganj, Shariatpur and Jashore, he said. A total of 35,483 ho uses have been destroyed completely while 1,14,992 houses damaged partially in the cyclone. Mohibbur Rahman said 107 upazilas and 914 unions and municipalities have been affected in the cyclonic storm. He said a total of 9,424 shelter centers have been opened in the coastal areas as over eight lakh people took shelter at the centers as well as educational institutions. A total of 52,146 cattle have also been sheltered, he added. The state minister said 1,471 medical teams have been formed to provide treatment to cyclone-affected people. He said Taka 6.85 crore have been provided for the affected people. Of the allocation, Taka 3.85 crore cash money have been allocated for 15 districts, 5500 metric tons of rice, 5000 packets of dry food, Taka 1.50 crore for children's food and Taka 1.50 crore for feed were also allocated. The state minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been constantly monitoring the overall situation. At her directives and sincere efforts of all concerned, it has been possible t o protect the country from bigger damages, he said. In the press conference, Chief Meteorologist of Strom Warning Center of Bangladesh Meteorological Department Dr Shamim Hasan Bhuiyan said due to effects of cyclone Remal, rain and gusty wind may continue till tomorrow while Sylhet region may witness heavy rainfall. He said Dhaka saw 125 millimeters of rain today, while Chattogram 138mm, Cox's Bazar 139mm and Patuakhali 121mm rain. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha