KHULNA, Oct 25, 2022 (BSS) - The Mongla Port Authority (MPA) has started its operation this noon as cyclone ‘Sitrang’ crossed the coastal areas with little impact in the Khulna region.

All foreign ships, cargo vessels, left the Harbaria channel towards Jetty areas which were anchored yesterday, started its operation, said Md Makruzzaman, Deputy Secretary of the MPA told BSS.

Cargo handling in the port is now running in full swing, he said.
On Monday, the MPA, in an emergency meeting took massive preparations to cope with any damage of the cyclone ‘Sitrang’ in the port area, second largest sea port of the country.

 “All Naval and Coastguard ships were anchored at safer places in the port Jetty, has also started their operation this noon,” he added.

Besides, naval ships has started rendering medical support to the coastal area and distributed food among the distressed people.

According to ISPR, a total of 17 Navy ships, two maritime patrol aircraft’s and two helicopters were ready to conduct operation at Khulna, Mongla, Cox’s Bazar, St Martin, Teknaf, Hatia, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna and other coastal areas across the country.

Meanwhile, People left cyclone shelters this morning after crossing of cyclone ‘Sitrang’.

“Some low lying areas were inundated, weak embankment at Harinkhola area of Koira upazila has collapsed while Kamarkhola and Suterkhali embankments of Dakop upazila in Khulna are in dilapidated  condition,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner(general) S.M Sadekur Rahman.

Cooperation with volunteers, local people immediately repaired the embankments yesterday, he said.

He also said, people who took positions in 548 cyclone shelters yesterday have left it. All 116 medical teams and 5,280 volunteers have started to leave the coastal areas.
Talking to BSS, Parliament Member of Khulna-6 constituency Akteruzzaman Babu, said the cyclone “Sitrang’ crossed the costal belt with a little impact in the Sundarbans and its adjacent areas.

“No embankments were broken and there had no impact in my constituency during cyclone,” he said.

Replying a question, MP Babu said, ECNEC has already passed over TK 6,000 crore for construction of 34 kilometers embankment in the coastal areas.

Tender process of Taka 1500 crore has already been completed, he said, adding that works of sustainable embankment construction will be completed by 2025.