Govt surveying flood-hit areas, relief efforts to continue: Home minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the government has undertaken all necessary preparations to respond to the ongoing floods, with surveys underway in affected areas to assess the extent of the damage.

"The government has taken all necessary preparations to deal with the disaster. Surveys are being conducted in flood-hit areas, and assistance from both the government and the private sector will continue for affected people," he said while distributing relief among flood-affected people in the Fasiakhali area of Chakaria upazila in Cox's Bazar today (17 July).

The surveys will assess damage to infrastructure and guide rehabilitation efforts, including support for affected farmers, to help people return to normal life quickly, the minister added.

After distributing relief, Salahuddin visited flood-hit areas in Chakaria, spoke with affected residents, and directed local authorities to take prompt action.

Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Cox's Bazar deputy commissioner's office, and the upazila administration accompanied him during the visit.

The home minister arrived in Cox's Bazar today on a two-day official visit to assess the flooding caused by recent heavy rainfall and water from upstream and oversee relief operations.

After landing at Cox's Bazar Airport at 10:55am, he travelled directly to Chakaria, where he visited inundated areas and distributed relief among flood-affected families.

He will spend the night at his residence in Pekua before continuing his visit tomorrow.

He is scheduled to inspect flood conditions and relief activities in different parts of Pekua at 10am and later visit flood-affected areas of Matamuhuri at noon.

He will return to the Cox's Bazar Circuit House at 2pm and is scheduled to leave for Cox's Bazar Airport at 7pm and depart for Dhaka by air at 8:05pm.