Cyclone Amphan: ‘Over 12,000 shelters ready’

The government has readied 12,278 shelters in the coastal districts as super cyclone Amphan nears the country, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said.

The cyclone shelters were made in 19 coastal districts, the minister told The Daily Star tonight.

Of those, 4,071 shelters were permanent and the rest were schools, colleges and madrasas designated as cyclone shelters, he said.

The junior minister said though over 51 lakh people can be accommodated at the cyclone shelters, they were planning to only bring 20 to 22 lakh there as per the experience from previous cyclones including "Bulbul" and "Fani".

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He said during last year's cyclone Bulbul, about 22 lakh people were evacuated from their homes, adding that around 2,500 people had already gone to the shelters after the maritime ports were asked to hoist danger signal number six and seven.

"We are trying to keep one family in one room to maintain social distancing to contain the spread of coronavirus," he added.

He said Tk 50 lakh has been allocated to combat the cyclone. Besides, Tk 31 lakh has been allocated to procure food for affected children, while Tk 28 lakh has been earmarked for feeding cows and goats.