C T Online Desk: Morjina Akhtar, a 55-year-old resident of Khankhanabad union under Banshkhali upazila of Chittagong, is at the Mujib Killa shelter in Sandhi Para with her husband and children to protect themselves from Cyclone Mocha. She also brought with her two domestic animals and chickens.
Like Morjina, about 89,065 people from 15 upazilas of Chittagong have taken refuge at various shelters.
Dry food and necessary medicines have been arranged for these individuals.
“Our house is very close to the sea. We faced significant damage in the 1991 cyclone. Many people died. So to protect our livestock, I have come to the shelter in advance with my husband and two children,” Morjina explained.
According to the district administration, 1,177 shelters have been prepared in the Chittagong City Corporation and the district’s 15 upazilas.
These shelters can accommodate about 570,800 people. Currently, 89,065 people have sought refuge in these shelters.
Sixty people in Mirsharai, 1,289 in Sitakunda, 45,143 in Banshkhali, 29,885 in Sandwip, 5,280 in Anwara, 200 in Karnafuli, 1,208 in Chandanaish and 6,000 people in the city corporation area have taken shelter.
These shelters are also accommodating 3,418 cattle, buffalo, and 4,323 goats and sheep.
Md Towhidul Islam, nezarat deputy collector (NDC) and executive magistrate of Chittagong, said people are rushing to the shelters to protect their lives and livestock.
“Many have already arrived at the shelters with their domestic animals. Dry food has been arranged there,” he added.
The Chittagong district administration said 8,880 volunteers from the Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) and the Red Crescent Society are ready to face Cyclone Mocha.
They are broadcasting weather updates in the area. The fire service is prepared with adequate equipment and 284 medical teams have been formed.
Among the shelters, there are 112 in Fatikchhari, 18 in Hathazari, 85 in Mirsharai, 217 in Rangunia, two in Raozan, 116 in Sandwip, 25 in Sitakunda, 122 in Banshkhali, six in Boalkhali, six in Chandanaish, 126 in Patiya, four in Satkania, 58 in Anwara, 27 in Lohagara, 10 in Karnafuli, and 94 in the city corporation.
Mocha update
The peripheral effect of the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha has started in the coastal regions of Chittagong and Barisal divisions, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has said.
Cyclone Mocha is approaching the coastal areas of Bangladesh and Myanmar with a maximum wind speed of 210kmph, the BMD said in a special weather bulletin early on Sunday.
According to the BMD, the cyclonic storm at midnight was centred about 490km south-southwest of Chittagong port, 410km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 530km south of Mongla port and 460km south of Payra port.
The met office said Cyclone Mocha is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction and cross Cox’s Bazar-north Myanmar’s coast between 9am to 3pm on Sunday.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 74km of the very severe cyclone centre at midnight was about 190kmph, rising to 210kmph in gusts.
The maritime port of Cox’s Bazar was asked to hoist great danger signal No 10.
The maritime ports of Chittagong and Payra were told to hoist great danger signal No 8, while the maritime port of Mongla was advised to hoist local warning signal No 4.
The coastal district of Cox’s Bazar and its offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal No 10, the BMD said.
Meanwhile, the coastal districts of Chittagong, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Barisal, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Bhola and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal no 8.
