The distressed are in need of full support
Sunday, 18 November 2007
The fury of nature has now caused yet another havoc in Bangladesh. The coastal areas of the country, particularly its south and southwestern parts, have witnessed this time a severe damage. Many lives were lost, many more were injured and vast assets and properties were destroyed. This paper expresses its profound sorrow at valuable losses of life and property and shares the pain and anguish of the distressed. On its part, the nation, no doubt, has been going through a rough patch for sometime. Two consecutive floods, high prices of essential commodities due to external as well as domestic factors and an economic slowdown have already made the life of the citizens pretty difficult. And now to make the situation worse, a severe cyclonic storm, codenamed, SIDR, last Thursday battered the south and south-western coastal districts, leaving a trail of devastations in those districts. Unofficial estimates until Friday evening put the death toll at around 1000. The government spokesman confirmed Friday evening 223 deaths and injuries to thousands of people in the affected districts while indicating that the death figure could rise further when the snapped telecommunications between Dhaka and, at least, three worst-hit districts, namely, Barguna, Jhalakati, and Bagerhat would be restored.
It seems that the extent of devastation, particularly in terms of casualties, would be less than what was feared earlier. Fortunately, the tidal surge that accompanied the cyclone was far less damaging this time and most deaths were either caused due to collapse of houses or sinking of boats. The situation, however, still remains unfolding as information from distant coastal 'char' areas is yet to reach the mainland. The early warning by the weathermen and massive evacuation of about 1.5 million people to cyclone shelters and other safer places by government, non-governmental agencies and the Red Crescent volunteers within a short time could prevent many deaths. However, the damage to kutcha and semi-pucca houses, telecommunications and power network, trees and standing Aman crops and vegetables has been extensive.
The country experienced the worst-ever power disruption Friday last. The entire country was without electricity for nearly 18 to 20 hours, barring one or two key installations. The authorities concerned blamed the collapse of distribution towers and snapping of lines due to the cyclonic storm for the power blackout. And whatever the reasons for such kind of nationwide power disruptions, it is well-nigh impossible for most power subscribers to bear with the multi-dimensional adverse fall-outs from the same. And many of such subscribers find it difficult to accept the explanation of the authorities concerned because even after a far stronger cyclonic storms, having more destructive power, than the SIDR could not create in the past such dislocation in power supply. As such, it would be proper to make an immediate investigation to find out the actual reason/s of the power supply disruption.
The interim administration deserves appreciation for taking timely preparations to face the natural calamity. It had put the entire government machinery in Dhaka and the coastal districts on its toes to help evacuate millions of people to safer places and face the post-disaster situation. The chief adviser and the chief of army staff visited some of the worst-hit areas Friday and ordered proper relief and rehabilitation measures. There is no denying that people of Bangladesh have become hardened to cope with natural calamities that visit them almost regularly. They have, time and again, shown their resilience to vagaries of nature and have developed the unique quality of facing the aftermath with courage and determination. However, most people affected by natural calamities being poor do need all kinds of help, succour and cooperation to overcome their difficulties. All concerned would expect that the government would do its best to help the people affected by the latest cyclonic storm to start their life anew.
It seems that the extent of devastation, particularly in terms of casualties, would be less than what was feared earlier. Fortunately, the tidal surge that accompanied the cyclone was far less damaging this time and most deaths were either caused due to collapse of houses or sinking of boats. The situation, however, still remains unfolding as information from distant coastal 'char' areas is yet to reach the mainland. The early warning by the weathermen and massive evacuation of about 1.5 million people to cyclone shelters and other safer places by government, non-governmental agencies and the Red Crescent volunteers within a short time could prevent many deaths. However, the damage to kutcha and semi-pucca houses, telecommunications and power network, trees and standing Aman crops and vegetables has been extensive.
The country experienced the worst-ever power disruption Friday last. The entire country was without electricity for nearly 18 to 20 hours, barring one or two key installations. The authorities concerned blamed the collapse of distribution towers and snapping of lines due to the cyclonic storm for the power blackout. And whatever the reasons for such kind of nationwide power disruptions, it is well-nigh impossible for most power subscribers to bear with the multi-dimensional adverse fall-outs from the same. And many of such subscribers find it difficult to accept the explanation of the authorities concerned because even after a far stronger cyclonic storms, having more destructive power, than the SIDR could not create in the past such dislocation in power supply. As such, it would be proper to make an immediate investigation to find out the actual reason/s of the power supply disruption.
The interim administration deserves appreciation for taking timely preparations to face the natural calamity. It had put the entire government machinery in Dhaka and the coastal districts on its toes to help evacuate millions of people to safer places and face the post-disaster situation. The chief adviser and the chief of army staff visited some of the worst-hit areas Friday and ordered proper relief and rehabilitation measures. There is no denying that people of Bangladesh have become hardened to cope with natural calamities that visit them almost regularly. They have, time and again, shown their resilience to vagaries of nature and have developed the unique quality of facing the aftermath with courage and determination. However, most people affected by natural calamities being poor do need all kinds of help, succour and cooperation to overcome their difficulties. All concerned would expect that the government would do its best to help the people affected by the latest cyclonic storm to start their life anew.