Preparations to face cyclone ‘Dana’ in Khulna

Khulna district administration has taken all-out preparations to deal with cyclonic storm 'Dana' that may make landfall in Indian coast tonight. Due to the impact of the severe cyclone, many parts of Khulna may be inundated with high tides, according to meteorological department forecast.

The cyclone was centered at 450 kms South of Mongla Port and 440 kms South-Southwest of Payra port at 12 p.m. today. Under the peripheral effect of the Sever Cyclonic Storm, heavy (25mm) rainfall with gusty wind is prevailing in the coastal districts, said Amirul Azad, regional chief of Khulna Met office.

The Khulna District Development and Coordination Committee in an emergency meeting yesterday decided to keep standby medical teams and volunteers with adequate relief materials including drinking water and dry foods in all 604 shelter centres. Talking to BSS, Khulna DC Saiful today said steps have already been taken so that people and their livestock near coastal areas can safe shelter in the cyclone shelters.

Meanwhile, all ships, fishing boats, trawlers and other vessels in the Bay of Bengal have been asked to take shelter at the Mongla Port Jetty and coastal areas until further notice. However, loading and unloading of containers from ships would continue until hoisting the danger signal number 7, said Md Makruzzaman, DD PR of Mongla Port Authority (MPA) today.

Mongla Port has issued its own alert no-1 and a control room has been opened for monitoring the situation. Two naval warships were kept ready at the MPA jetty to meet any emergency.