Govt increases shelter centres to tackle Amphan

The government has prepared some 14,636 shelter centres where almost 24 lakh people can be accommodated as extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan is approaching towards Bangladesh coastlines.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman made the remark in a virtual briefing on Wednesday regarding the latest situation and preparedness to tackle the cyclone Amphan.

Dr Enamur Rahman said, "Earlier the government arranged some 12,078 shelter centers to evacuate people as cautionary measure against cyclone. But as the number of people increased, the government arranged more centres, which is three times than shelter centers arranged during cyclone Bulbul."

Earlier today National Disaster Management Council held a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. In the meeting, the premier has said the government is prepared with every possible initiative to protect lives and properties from the extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan.

"The disaster management instructions on what to do to deal with the super cyclone Amphan have been given," she added. Starting from the main committee, all the area-based committees are on alert. The prime minister also said, "Adequate multi-purpose cyclone centers have been set up in the risky areas."

According to the Met office cyclone Amphan may hit coastline of Bangladesh and India between 6 pm to 8 pm today.

The cyclone Amphan was centred about 480 km southwest of Chattogram port, 470 km southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 290 km south-southwest of Mongla port and 320 km south-southwest of Payra port at 12:30pm today.

Bangladesh's Met office has advised maritime ports Payra and Mongla to hoist great danger signal number 10 while Chattogram and Cox's Bazar asked to hoist great signal 9.

Cyclone Amphan, moving at a wind speed of 200 to 220 kilometers per hour within 85 kilometers of the centre of cyclone.The coastal districts of Bangladesh have been experiencing light rain and stormy weather from Tuesday evening.