State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman has said another cyclone may hit the country in December.
"We are taking up preparations to face it as per the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the state minister said at a press conference at the secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The press conference was arranged in the aftermath of Cyclone Sitrang which hit Bangladesh's coastline on Monday night and crossed the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola at midnight last night, according to BSS and UNB.
He informed the government has got reports of nine deaths due to the impact of the cyclone. However, UNB on Tuesday evening reported at least 25 people have so far died under influence of the cyclone.
Md Enamur Rahman said that cyclonic storm Sitrang has damaged around 10,000 houses in 419 unions of the country.
"Due to the cyclone, 6000 hectors of cropland and 1000 fishing facilities were damaged. Nine people were killed. Of them, eight died due to the fall of trees on houses," he said.
“Sitrang did not turn into a severe form and crossed the coastal area very quickly,” the state minister said.
Enamur said each family of the deceased will get Tk 25,000 in assistance. Two families of Gopalganj have already received the assistance.
He said fishermen who faced losses will get interest-free loans.
The state minister said corrugated galvanised iron sheets and cash assistance from the ministry will be provided to the affected people for repairing their damaged houses.
The field administration will assess the damages and deputy commissioners will send the report to the ministry, he added. “After that we will hold an inter-ministerial meeting and will start the work of providing assistance and rehabilitation. It will take seven to 15 days.”
“We have been able to provide shelter to 1 million people in 6,925 cyclone shelter centres. The cyclone weakened quickly after hitting the coastal districts at 10:00 pm,” said Enamur.
“People have already left the shelters,” he added.
Cyclone Sitrang completed its landfall and weakened to a tropical depression over Bangladesh early Tuesday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
