Bangladesh News

The armed forces yesterday deployed 12 additional ships, three aircraft and 12 helicopters for disaster management in the cyclone-hit districts.

Members of the army, navy and air force have been carrying out relief, rescue and rehabilitation activities alongside the civil administration, Brigadier General Kazi Abidus Samad, director of the Armed Forces Division (AFD), said at a press briefing yesterday.

The AFD has been monitoring and coordinating the disaster management work in areas that were badly hit by cyclone Sidr on Thursday night.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said 3,000 army troops from different cantonments reached the cyclone-affected areas and started relief and rescue operations. Helicopters and aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force dropped emergency relief supplies in inaccessible localities including Dublarchar, Kuakata, Patharghata, Hiron Point, Mathbaria and Sarankhola.

The AFD director said they received reports of 1,723 deaths as of 7:00pm yesterday. Information from different sources also shows that 3,569 people were injured and seven have been missing.

Samad said 66 tonnes of relief materials were distributed among the cyclone affected people yesterday and they hope to send 58 tonnes more today.

According to AFD statistics, 70-80 percent of thatched houses were damaged in Barguna, Patuakhali, Pirojpur and Jhalakathi and 50-60 percent in Jessore and Netrakona while 2,12,700 thatched houses were damaged in Bagerhat alone.

The AFD said 70-80 percent crops were damaged in Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi and Barisal, 50-60 percent in Shariatpur, Madaripur, Jessore and Netrakona, and 50 percent in Chandpur, Comilla, Laxmipur and Brahmanbaria.

Five barges, 73 trawlers and 25 launches have been missing since the cyclone hit the coastal belt of the country.

AFD Deputy Director Mainuddin Chowdhury said apart from the relief and rescue operations, the armed forces members have been working to restore road communications, mobile and telephone links and power generation.

He said six medical teams have been deployed in different areas while medical teams onboard the armed forces ships are also treating the injured.

According to an ISPR press release, 3,000 troops from Jessore, Savar, Chittagong and Comilla infantry divisions joined the disaster management operations and distributed lifesaving medicines, food and water among the affected people.

In a separate press release, the ISPR said Bangladesh Air Force yesterday distributed 30 tonnes of food items in remote areas including Hiron Point, Dublarchar, Kuakata, Mathbaria, Sarankhola and Patharghata.

Asked if the government will seek foreign help for transportation and rehabilitation, Samad said the government may do so if it feels necessary.

“Friendly foreign countries have shown interest in helping the government in its rescue and rehabilitation work,” he said, adding that the armed forces are now utilising their own resources in tackling the crisis.

Two US medical teams, which were supposed to leave the country earlier, are staying in the capital and are ready to help the authorities while the US Embassy also said it is ready to provide necessary assistance, Samad said.