Coastal dwellers get relief as Fani does less destruction

Cyclone Fani hit Satkhira, Jashore and Khulna regions and adjoining areas on Friday night, and it crossed  Faridpur-Dhaka region on Saturday.
Bangladesh has been feeling the peripheral effect of Fani since Friday morning. A number of villages and shoals in coastal districts have been inundated.
A total 1,240,795 people have been evacuated to cyclone centres in coastal districts till Friday evening.
As many as 4,071 cyclone centres have been opened in 19 coastal districts while directives have been issued to use schools and colleges as shelter centres.
The Navy deployed 32 ships in Chattogram, Khulna and Mongla ports for emergency rescue operations and relief work. Naval contingents were on standby for immediate deployment in coastal areas.
KHULNA: People of the district, especially of the vast coastal belt, heaved a sigh of relief as the cyclone Fani crossed the region with little impact on Saturday 9am.

Though authorities including the district administration remained cautious and took necessary preparations to face the calamity, the situation became normal in the morning when the storm started moving towards south-west, lessening the risk of hitting local coastal belt including Mongla Sea Port.
Earlier, activities at the port had been suspended after hoisting no. 7 cautionary signal from Thursday. The port activities are likely to resume on Sunday, said Md Makruzzaman, public relations officer of Mongla Port Authority (MPA).
Meanwhile, Khulna coastal belt and adjacent districts of the Sundarbans experienced heavy rainfall with squally winds under the influence of 'Fani' throughout Friday night. Some thatched house and trees were broken at the low-lying areas in Koyra and Dakop upazilas in Khulna.
Moderate to heavy downpour is continuing intermittently, paralysing life of Khulna people.
Met Office recorded 21mm rainfall in Khulna till 9am on Saturday, said Amirul Azad, regional chief of Khulna Met Office.
At least 50 families were rendered homeless at Dakop Upazila in Khulna and Sharankhola Upazila in Bagerhat as 33 polder embankment of Baniashanta area and 35/1 polder of Sharankhola Upazila in Bagerhat were broken on Friday night due to inundation of over six villages by tidal waves.
Local People along with employees of Water Development Board (WDB) are repairing embankments to face the calamity, said Md Shariful Islam, executive engineer of WDB Division-1.
Earlier, Khulna District Administration and Khulna City Corporation took extensive preparations including setting-up of control rooms as part of disaster preparedness programme.
Over 2.5 lakh people took shelter at the 325 cyclone centres in Khulna.
A total of 114 medical teams were ready and adequate relief was sent to all coastal upazilas in Khulna, said Azizul Haque Zoarder, district relief officer.
74 houses damaged
in Feni

FENI: At least 74 houses were damaged by the cyclone Fani in Char Chandia, Char Darbesh and Sadar unions under Sadar Upazila of the district.
While visiting Char Chandia Paddy Research area, many houses were found to be destroyed.
NDC Rasheduzzaman said at least seven houses were totally and 67 partially damaged, and crops of about 1,500 acres of land were damaged.
Sonagazi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sohel Parvez said, "We are preparing a list of the damage, and will take steps based on the assessment."
Char Chandia UP Chairman Mosharraf Hossen Milon said they have already distributed dry foods among the victims.
Deputy General Manager (Technical) of Feni Palli Bidyut Samity Abdul Jalil Mia said the power connection was off for six hours as the transmission lines were severed in many places.
Deputy Commissioner Md Wahiduzzaman said they will take all preparations to combat the cyclone.
Nijhum Dwip inundated

BEGUMGANJ, NOAKHALI: Most areas of the Nijhum Dwip under Hatiya Upazila of the district were inundated due to tidal surge caused by cyclone Fani.
Chairman of Nijhum Dwip Union Meheraz Uddin told to this correspondent through mobile phone that the tidal surge inundated Munshigram, Adarshapara, Mollagram and Muslim Para villages of the union.
Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saifur Rahman said the administration is ready to combat the cyclone.
Rajrajeswar UP damaged
CHANDPUR: Three villages- Shilarchar, Khasondi and Mandar Bazaar under Rajrajeswar Union were damaged by the cyclone Fani.
About 100 houses were damaged and many trees were uprooted by the storm. The homeless people are now living under open sky.
Meanwhile, no casualties were reported except a minor been hurt by falling tin.
Local UP Chairman Hazrat Ali said many croplands were damaged. They are now busy protecting affected people.

River transport suspended in Padma
MUNSHIGANJ: Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) suspended plying of all vessels through Shimulia-Kanthalbari route of the Padma River since Thursday last to avoid any accident during the cyclone Fani.
Mawa BIWTC Manager (Commerce) Abdul Alim said due to unfavourable weather, the plying of the vessels has been closed. Meanwhile, after the weather condition improves, the regular plying will restart.