Dateline Khulna: 349 shelters ready for 2.38 lakh people

People in Khulna coastal belt have started rushing to shelter centers as the severe cyclone Bulbul is approaching to hit the coastal districts of the country.

Villagers of Koyra and Dakop of the district started taking shelter from Saturday morning.

"A total of 349 cyclone shelters have been kept ready from Friday evening to face the disastrous situation," Khulna disaster management committee said.

According to the committee, around 2.38 lakh coastal people is expected to be accommodated in the shelters.

Government authorities have opened 10 control rooms to monitor the situation and cancelled holidays of its staff.

Khulna district administration also called an emergency meeting of the district disaster management committee. Authorities have also kept ready the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) volunteers.

Belal Hossain, a union council member of the South Bedakshi Union of Koyra Upazila, said several areas of the Koyra embankment are at risk.

Khulna's local Meteorological official Amirul Azad said, "From Friday 6 pm to Saturday morning, our office recorded 25 millimeters of rain."