People seek more shelters during cyclone in Khulna

People in the disaster-prone areas of Khulna are keeping their fingers crossed about their safety in case a hurricane or cyclone lashes those places. Shelters are inadequate. Even most of the existing shelters are in a dilapidated condition because of lack of maintenance for a long time. Usually people crowd in these shelters for their safety during cyclones, storms or any such natural calamities.
Many of the shelters are so shabby and risky that people cannot expect any safety there because of poor infrastructure of those shelters. The authorities have been informed several times of this poor condition of the shelters but they have so far turned a deaf ear to such appeals. If natural calamities like a cyclone hit the coastal area once again, the loss of life will be enormous alongside damage of property. Cattle in particular are likely to be more vulnerable. So steps to repair and renovate the cyclone shelters should be taken immediately. Also there is a need for constructing more such cyclones.
According to the meteorological department three to six depressions might be formed in the Bay of Bengal in April-June, two of which are likely to turn into cyclones. If it happens, there might be a colossal loss of life and damage of property.
According to the district rehabilitation and relief department there were 157 cyclone shelters in the districts out of which 48 in Koyra upazila, 27 in Patikgachha upazila, 57 in Dacope upazila, 17 in Batiagahta upazila and 8 in Damuria upazila. But it is a matter of regret that there are no such shelters in many upazialas under the district.
The two massive cyclones Sidr and Aila swept over 31 districts including Khulna on November 15,2007. About .8 million people were affected by the cyclonic storms. Sidr claimed lives of more than 15,000 people. After the nightmarish experiences of two killer cyclones sidr and Aila people rushed to the cyclone shelter last year. But space was less than required. This year, people also will seek refuge in shelters. And more people will rush there. So there is a need for repairing the old ones and undertaking construction of fresh ones within the shortest possible time.
The writer is a student of Hon's 3rd year. Department of statistics. Islamic University,                      Kushtia, Bangladesh.                     [email protected]