Amphan causes flood in Chattogram; 265 homes ravaged

The cyclonic storm Amphan has left a trail of grave destruction in the port city of Chattogram – causing damages to 265 houses which have eventually affected several thousands of people. 

Besides, a number of villages in Anowara upazila of the district have been flooded as the cyclone led a tidal wave entered into the localities. 

Amongst the victims, the residents of coastal areas – including Satkania, Lohagora, Bashkhali and several other places – have encountered most of the damages of the cyclonic storm, said Sajeeb Kumar Chakrobarti, Chattogram relief and rehabilitation officer. 

He said around 64,000 people were shifted to 1,952 shelter centres before the cyclone struck. They started leaving the shelters after Thursday noon once the meteorological office brought down the danger signal numbers. 

Sheikh Zobayer Ahmed, Anawara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), said a vast land of crops has been destroyed after water had entered Raipur, Baroawlia and several other villages breaking the soil-made embankment. 

The victims were provided with aid from the government initiatives, he added. 

However, the amount of total losses could not be assessed yet, said the district relief and rehabilitation officer Sajeeb Kumar, adding that the assessment work is underway. 

Some 6,660 CPC volunteers, 8,000 Red Crescent volunteers, 360 scout volunteers have been conducting rescue operations across the district, while 284 medical teams are providing health services. 

Kamal Hossain, additional deputy commissioner (overall) of the district, said the post-cyclone rescue activities are being carried out and affected families are being provided with aid. 

The moving of a large number of people to cyclone centres has made it possible to minimise the losses, he added.