The cyclonic storm ‘Sitrang’, which lashed the country’s coastal areas with winds and rain, left at least 16 dead and many injured. The deaths were reported from districts of Cumilla, Barguna, Narail, Sirajganj, and the island district of Bhola, according to media report. However, the overall losses by the impact of the storm have not been estimated yet.
Claiming multiple lives and leaving a trail of destruction in coastal belts, cyclonic storm ‘Sitrang’ crossed Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola at midnight on Monday.
People living in the low-lying areas of coastal areas have been passing inhuman lives as the flood caused by tidal surge left many of them marooned. The high tidal surge coupled with moderate to heavy rain damaged houses, crops fields and washed away shrimp farms and fish ponds in the low-laying areas of the coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat and their offshore islands. Many trees were uprooted due to heavy rain and stormy wind while livestock, farms and feeds were also destroyed by the storm. Besides, blackouts hit coastal districts hours before the cyclone struck southern Bangladesh, while many areas lost telecom signals.
The local administration
will have to intensify
distributing relief materials
in the worst-affected areas
At least 219,990 people who were taken to cyclone centers in 15 coastal districts, returned to their respective homes. But, the storm-hit people in affected districts are passing days in extreme misery amid an acute crisis of food and pure drinking water. Their sufferings have mounted and they are desperately looking for relief.
The government and non government agencies, armed forces, fire service, local bodies and different volunteer organisations are now working hard round the clock jointly to stand beside the affected people during this crisis. A good number of people are living across the coastal belts of the country. These people are affected by storm and flood almost every year.
The local administration will have to intensify distributing relief materials in the worst-affected areas. The department of health must undertake measures to provide treatment to affected people. At the same time, it is urgently needed for continuing all-out efforts to ensure safe shelter, food aid and medical care for the affected people. Therefore, we believe people from all walks of life will extend all out supports and stand beside the cyclone-affected people in affected areas along with the administration