KHULNA, Nov 17, 2023 (BSS) - The district administration has taken all sorts of preparation to tackle any situation to be caused by the approaching cyclonic storm 'Midhili' in the coastal belt of Khulna.

The cyclonic storm "Midhili" over Southeast Bay intensified into a 'cyclonic storm' to cross the coastal belt from afternoon to evening today, said Amirul Azad, Senior officer of Khulna Met Office.

Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep danger signal 7 while Chatogram Port to keep signal 6 until further notice because of the depression over the west-central Bay and adjoining areas.

Under its influence heavy to very heavy rainfall with gusty or squally wind occurred over the North Bay and adjoining offshore areas, chars and coastal areas of the country, he added.

A virtual meeting organized by Khulna District Development and Coordination Committee was held yesterday afternoon at Circuit House conference room here to face cyclone 'Midhila', said Md Abdul Karim, District Relief and Rehabilation Officer, today.

Chaired by Deputy Commissioner Khondokar Yasir Arefin, the meeting decided to keep standby medical teams with adequate relief materials, including drinking water and dry foods, in all shelter centres to face pre and post cyclone situation.

Md Abdul Karim said necessary steps have been taken so that people and their livestock near coastal areas can safely take refuse in the cyclone shelters.

He said a total of 433 cyclone shelter centre have been opened in all coastal upazilas of the district.
Karim said around 5,280 volunteers, including members of Red Crescent Society, and a large number of medical team with health workers will be kept prepared to cope with the cyclone.
Announcement through loud speakers about the cyclone awareness began this morning in all coastal areas and it will be continued until further notice, he added.
He said safe drinking water, dry foods have been sent to the coastal areas and cash aid is kept ready for distribution.
"Special preparations have been taken for four more risky coastal upazilas like Koyra, Paikgacha, Dakop and Batiaghata in the district," he added.
As part of the preparations to cope with the consequences of the cyclone "Midhila,' all ships have been asked to anchor at safe places.

These instructions were given in an emergency meeting on cyclone 'Midhila' preparation held in the meeting room of Mongla port on Thursday, Makruzzaman, secretary of MPA told BSS today.

"In order to keep the port channel safe, the domestic cargoes and lighterages have been moved out of the channel. Besides, initiatives have been taken to keep Navy and Coast Guard ships in a safe position at the port jetty," he said.

All 15 commercial foreign ships have already been kept at safe places and in alert position while all other ships have been asked not to anchor at the port jetty before 'Midhila' across Bangladesh, he added.

Coast Guard West Zone and Department of Forest (DoF) in both East and West Sundarban have taken preparations to cope with any eventuality of the severe cyclone.