Govt yet to know actual death toll

FE Team | Published: November 17, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

FE Report
The devastating cyclone SIDR that slammed the Bangladesh coast Thursday night has killed at least 233 people and injured hundreds others, according to a rough estimate of the government.
The government is yet to receive the actual death toll and number of injured people as communication with the coastal areas has remained suspended.
The storm with nearly 15-feet high tidal surge hit 15 coastal districts knocking off electric and telephone poles.
Ayub Miah, acting secretary of the food and disaster management ministry, stated this at a press briefing Friday.
"We could not communicate with officials of Barguna, Jhalkathi and Pirojpur due to disruption in telecommunication and transportation system," he said.
Around 1.5 million out of 3.2 million vulnerable people were evacuated from coastal districts before the cyclone pounded the shore.
The government has been trying with all its efforts to communicate with Barguna, the worst affected area, he said.
According to an unofficial estimate, the death toll in Barguna is over 127.
The cyclone SIDR that crossed Bangladesh through northeastern Sylhet damaged electricity distribution system and roads and affected Aman and Rabi crops.
At least 732 medical teams and over 42,000 volunteers have been working in the affected areas.
It will take few more days to restore the transportation and electricity network, Ayub Miah said.
The Chief Adviser (CA) and the Army Chief visited the affected areas by helicopter to assure the affected people of government assistance.
"We have sufficient relief fund with the chief adviser office and food and disaster management ministry," Ayub Miah said.
The government has already sent 3100 tonnes food grains as gratuitous relief (GR) to the affected people. The food and disaster management ministry has sent Tk 0.5 million for each of 15 affected areas.
The CA relief fund is now worth Tk 95 million.
The government has been supplying dry food, water and candle to Dublar Char, Saint Martin's island, Pathar Ghata, Hiron point.
A total of 7600 tents have already been erected in 15 districts and 15,000 blankets supplied in the affected areas.