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Download PDF A special meeting of the Council of Advisers yesterday allocated Tk 35 crore in emergency aid for house building in the cyclone-affected districts and asked the ministries concerned to restore the snapped communication networks on an urgent basis.
The government sought cooperation of all in this hour of need, as Thursday night’s devastating cyclone took a heavy toll on life and property.
The government further allocated Tk 2.30 crore to meet the urgent need in addition to Tk 9.50 crore allocated on Friday for the affected districts.
Chaired by Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed, the meeting asked the communications ministry to re-establish communications and the telecommunications ministry to restore telecommunications. The telecommunications ministry has been asked to send its satellite telephones to the cyclone-affected districts.
The ministries of food and disaster management and telecommunications and the Power Division have been advised to work in a coordinated manner.
The special council meeting that focused on aftermath of the powerful cyclonic storm, relief and rescue operation and rehabilitation urged all concerned to work round-the-clock to overcome the problems.
Secretary of the disaster management ministry presented a report to apprise the council of the latest position of relief and extent of damage while secretaries of the communications and telecommunications ministries and the Power Division informed about their activities and latest developments.
It was informed that 23 districts were affected moderately or heavily, of which 12 are being given priority. The worst affected districts are Patuakhali, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barisal, Barguna, Jhalakathi, Bhola, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Khulna and Satkhira.
A total of 732 medical teams are now working in the Cyclone-hit areas while dry foods are being given to the affected people.
The meeting was informed that houses and standing crops were badly damaged in the storm, which slammed into the country’s southwestern coast with wind speeds up to 240 kph and blew past the south-western and central regions into the northeast.
Directives have been given to the local administrations to assess the extent of damages to get the total picture in a few days.
The power division secretary in his presentation apprised that 1,600 MW power were added to the national grid yesterday, and the situation will further improve today.
The meeting was also apprised of relief and rescue operations being carried out by army, navy, air force and the joint forces.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim briefed newsmen about the outcome of the meeting. Replying to a question, he said the government will welcome if any foreign countries want to extend cooperation.
Members of the Council of Advisers attended the meeting held at the CA’s office. The cabinet secretary and the secretaries concerned were also present.
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