Over 219,000 people in 15 coastal districts of the country were taken to shelter centres until 5:00 pm on Monday, officials said.
More people were expected to take makeshift refuge in safe shelters overnight as cyclone Si-Trang approaches Bangladesh’s southwestern coastlines.
“At least 219,990 people have been taken to cyclone centres in 15 coastal districts by 5:00 pm on Monday,” a Disaster Management and Relief Ministry spokesman said Monday evening, according to BSS.
A joint secretary of the ministry, M Moniruzzaman, added that the evacuation process was underway to minimise casualties as 6,925 cyclone centres are kept ready expecting the last person exposed to cyclone dangers to take refuge there.
Meteorologist Monwar Hossain said the meteorology department in its latest directive issued this evening asked the seaports of Payra, Mongla and Chattogram to hoist ‘danger signal no 7 and advised the Cox’s Bazar seaport to maintain the danger signal no 6.
According to bdnews24.com, Cyclone Sitrang has started crossing the coast of Bangladesh between Barishal and Chattogram with a devastating wind speed of up to 90 km per hour, taking aim at millions on its path into the country.