Cyclone Yaas: Forest dept orders evacuation of its personnel from risky outposts in Sundarbans

The forest department has ordered evacuation of more than 50 of its personnel, working in eight highly risky patrol outposts in Bagerhat in the Sundarbans East Forest Division and moved to safer outposts as Cyclone Yaas approaches towards the coast.

Forest officers and rangers of these outposts are taking preparation to move to safer outposts to escape the danger of the cyclone.

The highly risky outposts are Dubla, Kokilmuni, Shala, Kachikhali and Charkhali patrol outposts of Sharankhola range and Tambulbunia, Jongra and Jhapsi patrol outposts in Chandpai range of the Sundarbans East Forest Division.

Besides, the fishermen, wood-cutters and honey collectors working in the Sundarbans have already been moved to a safer location as well.

Muhammad Belayet Hossain, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Forest Department, said forest officers and rangers would go to the safer outposts with necessary equipment, weapons and essential items once the danger signal has been elevated. 

"Cyclone Yaas, brewing in the Bay of Bengal, is expected to hit the coastal areas of Bangladesh on 26 May. With this in mind, the personnel of the risky patrol outposts at Sharankhola and Chandpai Ranges have been asked to move to safer outposts. The staff of the safer outpost will keep an eye on these highly risky outposts," Belayet also said.