Cyclone Bulbul: 50,000 people without shelter in Bhola

The fate of about 50,000 people remains uncertain ahead of cyclone Bulbul as there are no cyclone shelters in several parts of Bhola, especially char areas.  

Apprehension has gripped residents of Dhalchar, Char Patila and Char Nizam of Charfassion upazila, and Kalatali of Manpura upazila as they do not know where they will go once the cyclonic storm hits Bangladesh.  

It is not only the local people who are in danger. There are no safe houses for livestock and no canals where boats can be kept safely.

Dhalchar union has a population of about 20,000. Char Nizam, a part of Dhalchar, and Char Patila, a part of Char Kukri Mukri union, and Kalatali union have a population of about 10,000 each. 

Abul Bashar, a resident of Dhalchar, told The Business Standard, "We have nothing to do but to fear every time cyclone hits Dhalchar."

"We have been taking shelter in different highlands. Some people take shelter in the forests but the animals cannot go anywhere. They are badly affected.

"Even though we are alive after every cyclone, it becomes difficult for us to start earning our livelihoods again," he added.

Kashem Mia, a resident of Char Patila, said, "Every time we survive a cyclone, we feel that we were re-born because we already anticipated that this would be our last few moments as we do not have any shelter. But the Almighty saves us every time."

"Children and women are crying. But we cannot do anything for them. All we can do is wait and see if we survive this time or not," he said. 

Speaking to The Business Standard, Salam Hawlader, chairman of Dhalchar union, said, "There are no cyclone shelters in my union. The fate of local people plunges into uncertainty every time a storm hits the coastal areas." 

"Everyone is afraid and crying but there is nothing I can do to ease their pain.

"I have urged the authorities several times to build cyclone shelters in my union. However, they did not pay heed," he said. 

Salam added, "I cannot express the gravity of the situation people in my union have to face every time a storm hits. All they can do is wait for the storms to wreak havoc on their lives. They face huge financial losses during the disaster." 

Hashem Mohajon, chairman of Char Kukri Mukri, told The Business Standard, "There is a multi-storey building at Char Patila that can be used as a shelter, but it is precarious. Despite its condition, a maximum of 200 people can take shelter there."

Masud Alam Siddique, deputy commissioner of Bhola, said the authorities have advised the local administration to step in for safeguarding the residents.

"However, no measures have been taken for keeping the residents safe," he added.