At least 1 million people living in the coastal areas of Bangladesh have been evacuated to safety as a precaution against Mahasen.
Power supply in eight districts has been suspended as a preventive measure even before the storm surges.
Rafiqul Islam a control room official for National Disaster Response Coordination Centre (NDRCC) said, almost 1 million people from 15 coastal districts have been moved to safe shelters.
Altogether 9, 66,622 people have been evacuated in these districts.
District wise break up are as follows: Chittagong district 2,83,000, Cox’s Bazar 1,97,577, Noakhali 24,500, Feni 4,000, Laxmipur 4,643, Khulna 40,250, Saatkhira 27,530, Bagerhat 1,10,000, Barisal 3,250, Pirozpur 6,700, Jaholokathi 4,000, Patuakhali 1,00,932, Borguna 64,500, Bhola 29,300 and Chandpur 4,040.
The cyclone with gushing winds upto 90 kmph hit Patualkhali’s Khepupara at around 9am on Thursday, said the Meteorology Department.
Two people were killed in Bhola and Borguna on Wednesday night in heavy storm and rapid winds that swept through the areas before the arrival of Mahasen.
Rafiqul Islam said, “We cannot say how many people have been killed in the cyclone since there is no news of this from district administrations”.
Meanwhile, eight coastal districts are without electricity supply as uprooted trees and broke branches fell on the power lines.
Bangladesh Power Development Board officials said the decision to turn off power in these area was taken as a precautionary measures against Mahasen. The eight districts are- Cox’s Bazaar, Bhola, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhaat and Borguna.
Source: Bd news24
