Govt all set to face SIDR ravages: CA

FE Team | Published: November 16, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed Thursday announced that the government is all set to face the approaching cyclone SIDR, report bdnews24.com and UNB.
"A terrible cyclone is rushing towards the country. The government is all set to face the disaster," he said at the launching ceremony of the BATEXPO 2007 show, organised by BGMEA.
The interim administration head asked the nation to pray so that the people living in the coastal areas could cope with the ravages of the devastating storm.
The Met Office warned that the coastal areas might be washed with tidal surge, 15-20 feet higher than normal astronomical tide.
Meanwhile, leave of government officials and employees in coastal districts has been cancelled in order that they discharge their duties in facing any situation, as the cyclone began lashing the country's coastline. The government ordered them to join in the emergency operation to evacuate people from coastal localities to safer places.
The official orders were issued from an inter-ministerial disaster management coordination committee meeting Thursday, held in the cabinet meeting room, with vice-president of the committee and Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumder in the chair. High officials were present at the meeting.
The meeting was told that 42,675 volunteers are working in the coastal belts to keep people alert and evacuate them, along with the government officials and employees, in case of calamity.
Ansar, VDP and fire-service personnel will also take part in rescue and relief operation. The airforce has been asked to aid rescue operation and airdrop relief supplies by their helicopters.
Moreover, seven ships of Bangladesh Navy, including three frigates, were brought to Mongla Naval Base from Chittagong Thursday in combat preparation against possible onslaught of the sea-storm.
Sources said, the warships would be used to carry out rescue operation, if the roaring hurricane hit the coast.