Govt issues directives, launches control room to deal with cyclone ‘Yaas’

To deal with cyclone "Yaas" that is supposed to make landfall on the day after tomorrow, the Ministry of Water Resources has issued an eight-point directives for the coastal areas and launched a control room to ensure proper implementation of those. 

According to the directives, the authorities concern would inspect the overall situation of the coastal areas, including of the dams, and submit the report immediately. 

There must be arrangements for sufficient stock of sand, geo bags and emergency labourers.

Also, masks, oral salines and water purifying tablets must be there for distribution. Necessary arrangements have to be made for maintenance of the eight polders along Satkhira and Khulna districts, in addition to sufficient number of water vehicles to evacuate people.

The authorities must ensure that all the activities are conducted complying with the health guidelines. 

All field level officers and employees must be present at their respective workplaces round the clock and keep the deputy commissioners concerned and water resource management committees updated with the latest information of cyclone. 

The Water Development Board will work in coordination with public representatives, local residents and the media.

Disclosing the authorities' preparation, State Minister for Water Resources, Cl (retd) Jahid Faruk, said they are ready to deal with any disaster, including "Yaas", under the direction of the prime minister. 

"There are more than one lakh geo bags stocked in Barishal and Khulna areas. The field level engineers are working diligently, including setting up of information centres, to protect lives and properties," he said. 

Coastal people to be taken to shelters 

Meanwhile, the local administration has made arrangements to take the residents of the coastal areas in Satkhira to the shelters once the met office issues signal-6. 

The cyclone shelters are being prepared, but the locals have reportedly turned reluctant to go there despite the risk of severe damages. 

ANM Abu Jar Gifari, upazila nirbahi officer of Shyamnagar, said they kept a total of 103 shelters ready to accommodate the vulnerable people.

"The coastal people will be taken to the shelters if the Meteorological Department issues the signal-6," he said, adding that they are fully prepared to deal with the cyclone.

Updated position of Yaas 

Cyclonic storm Yaas moved to north-northwestwards and was lying over the East Central Bay and the adjoining area on Monday evening.

At 6pm, it was centered at 655 kms south-southwest of Chattogram port, 590 kms south-southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 630 kms south of Mongla port and 585 kms south of Payra port, according to the latest met office bulletin. 

Due to favourable atmospheric conditions, the cyclonic storm is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction and may reach North-West Bay off North Odisha-West Bengal-Khulna coast by 26 May early morning. 

However, the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Parya were asked to continue hoisting distant warning signal-2. 

All fishing boats and trawlers of North Bay and deep see were advised to take shelter and remain there until further notice.