Bhola
Cyclone Sitrang weakens into depression
Cyclonic Sitrang crossed the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola around midnight on Monday (October 24, 2022) but weakened rapidly into a depression by giving precipitation, the weather department said in its latest bulletin on Tuesday.
Sitrang moved north-northeastwards very fast and crossed the Barishal-Chattogram coast, and now lies over Dhaka-Cumilla-Brahmanbaria and adjoining areas as a land depression, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
The maritime ports of Mongla, Payra, and Chattogram have been advised to lower danger signal number 7 and hoist local cautionary signal number 3 instead.
Read 110 evacuated from isolated char in Bhola ahead of Sitrang landfall
Meanwhile, the maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been advised to lower danger signal number 6 and hoist local cautionary signal number 3.
Under the influence of the new moon phase and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surge height of 3-5 feet above the normal astronomical tide.
All fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter until further notice.
Read Cyclone Sitrang: Educational institutions in 3 divisions declared closed
The front part of the cyclone started lashing Bangladesh from Monday evening, while its centre made its landfall in the early hours of Tuesday.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kilometres of the cyclone’s centre at that point was about 62 kilometres per hour rising to 88 kilometres per hour in gusts or squalls.
As Sitrang started lashing the country’s coastal areas, nearly all of Bangladesh suffered under inclement weather with uprooted trees or falling branches killing people and disconnecting power transmission lines, and incessant rainfall causing waterlogging in urban areas.
Read Cyclone Sitrang: Many areas in Dhaka, Narayanganj plunge into darkness following disruption in power supply
Authorities scrambled to move at risk populations to the nearest of some 7,000 cyclone shelters that were opened up, mostly in the 19 coastal districts. According to reports coming in late on Monday night, over 2 lakh people were evacuated to these shelters by the time of Sitrang’s landfall.
Authorities in the three southern divisions, meanwhile, declared the closure of all educational institutions till further notice, with some of their premises pressed into operation as cyclone shelters.
Most parts of the country, including Dhaka, witnessed moderate to heavy rains throughout Monday under the impact of the cyclonic storm.
Read Cyclone Sitrang: Fire service on high alert, opens monitoring cell
Authorities prepared more than 7,000 cyclone shelters to evacuate people, while all fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay and deep sea have been asked to remain anchored.
Authorities in Chattogram and other hilly districts warned that landslides could occur if continuous downpour continued.
UNB correspondents from across the southern coastal region reported heavy rains and tidal surges since Monday morning.
Meanwhile, many areas in capital Dhaka and neighbouring Narayanganj plunged into darkness, following a huge disruption in power supply that authorities blamed on Cyclone Sitrang.
Read IGP orders police to be alert in dealing with impact of Sitrang
According to officials of the Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) and Desco, the two entities which control the distribution network in Dhaka and Narayanganj, many areas experienced blackouts for hours following a fault in the Sympur, Ulan and Maniknagar grid line.
“Due to the grid disruption, power supply went off in Dhanmondi, Sher-e-Banglanagar, Kakrail, and Kajla in Dhaka city and also in some areas in Narayanganj city," Bikash Dewan, managing director of DPDC, told UNB.
He said many areas also experienced blackouts due to the collapse of trees on the power distribution lines due to the impact of cyclone Sitrang.
Read Cyclone Sitrang: Power entities open control rooms
Preparations taken to evacuate 3 lakh people in Bhola char areas
The district administration has taken preparations to move some three lakh residents of the char areas of Bhola district to the shelters as cyclone ‘Sitrang’ is likely to make a landfall in southern Bangladesh coast by early Tuesday.
Due to the impact of Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ the residents of Bhola districts have been experiencing light to moderate rain since Monday morning.
Mahbub Rahman, an officer of Bhola Weather Observatory Centre, said the local met office recorded 72 mm of rainfall in 24 hours till 3 pm on Monday .
Besides, the launch and ferry services on Dhaka-Barishal route remained suspended.
The low-lying areas of Dhalchar area were flooded due to tidal surges caused by cyclone ‘Sitrang’.
Six teams of Bangladesh Coast Guards are working in the district and they were seen making people alert about the cyclone through loudspeakers.
Read: Cyclone Sitrang: Nothing much to worry, says State Minister Enamur
Deputy Commissioner Toufique-e-Elahi Chowdhury, said already 746 cyclone shelters were prepared while 1,306 educational institutions will also be kept ready.
Besides, the authorities opened eight control rooms while 76 medical teams and 13,600 volunteers were also kept ready, he said.
District Relief and Rehabilitation officer Delwar Hossain said 25 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 5 lakh were allocated while preparation were taken to provide 1000 packets of dry food at the cyclone shelters.
Can’t import 400 MMCFD gas as per businessmen’s demand: Energy Advisor
Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury has said that the government is planning to supply about 80 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMCFD) from the Bhola district to the national network to ease the nagging energy crisis.
“We hope we’re able to bring the gas from Bhola within 3-4 months,” he told a seminar on ‘Mitigation of the Impacts of the Energy Crisis on the Industry Sector’, organised by Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) at a Dhaka hotel today.
He also urged all, including businessmen, to reduce the use of electricity.
“If you suspend use of electricity during daytime, it will immensely help improve the power supply situation,” he told businessmen amid their demand to import gas as an immediate solution to the crisis.
Read Renewable Energy Goal: Industry insiders, experts favour target oriented roadmap
With BCI president Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Pervez in the chair, the seminar was addressed, among others, by director general of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) Dr Binayak Sen, president of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Jashim Uddin, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Md. Saiful Islam, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) president Mohammad Ali Khokon, Foreign Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) vice president Shawpna Bhowmik, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) vice president Aftab Hossain Apurbo and former FBCCI president Abul Kalam Azad.
Eminent energy expert Prof Izaj Hossain made a presentation on the issue while economist Zaidi Sattar also spoke on the occasion.
Rejecting the demand of the businessmen to import 400 MMCFD gas spending USD 1.2 billion anually to manage the crisis, the Energy Advisor said it’s not possible as the government has to preserve foreign currency to face possible future financial crisis.
“We have to be very cautious about spending foreign currency as we don’t know when the Russia-Ukraine war will end,” he said.
Read Corruption, plundering, suicidal deals behind energy crisis: BNP
About the power crisis, he said some 1000 MW of electricity from coal-based power plants will be added to the national grid by next few months and the government will be able to divert some gas from power plants to industries.
In addition, the government is planning to generate another 1000 MW power from renewable sources within the shortest possible time.
In his presentation Dr Izaj Hossain said that there are some alternative options for the government to improve the energy situation. These include, import of LNG from spot market as price is declining, and diverting gas to industries, especially in Gazipur, Savar, and Narayanganj from the CNG stations, household consumers and power stations, and shutting down fertilizer factories as the government can import it from the international market.
“These will increase gas supply, but may increase load shedding”, he added.
Read PM's Energy Adviser hopeful of overcoming power, energy crisis
Dr Binayak Sen said that shutting down fertilizer factories and reducing power generation cannot be be good options. The government’s top priority is to support agriculture for food production, he said.
BCI president Anwar-ul-Alam Parvez said many industries have to suspend their productions because of the severe gas crisis and load shedding. As a result, import of raw material dropped while export is declining.
“If we don’t get adequate gas and power supply, industry will not survive”, he said.
BTMA president Mohammad Ali Khokon said the government should supply gas to the textile industries, even at a slightly higher rate.
Read Accelerate gas exploration to overcome energy crisis: ICCB
"We can survive if we get gas at a relatively higher price. But without getting gas we cannot sustain”, he said.
AK Azad said due to the energy crisis garment factory owners in Bangladesh have to suspend their operations during the daytime and now the situation is forcing them to cut back on manpower. “But if we terminate employees, what will be the impact on society and the economy? That is a big question,” he said.
Hilsa ban: 18 detained in Bhola after fishermen clash with police again
Four people, including two cops, were injured in a clash that ensued after fishermen allegedly attacked the police in the Padma River in Bhola Saturday.
Police have detained 18 fishermen in connection with the attack so far.
Md Akhtar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Ilisha River Police Station, said being informed they conducted a drive in Char area under the Sadar upazila by a trawler around 5am.
Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the fishermen, who were netting fish in the river, hurled brickbats targeting the cops when they were chased, he said adding that police retaliated with shotgun rounds, leaving four people including two sub-inspectors injured in the attack.
Read: Cops among 20 injured in attack by fishermen in Barishal
Later, a total of 18 fishermen were detained, 10,000 metres of current net and a fishing trawler were also seized, he said.
A case was filed in this connection, the OC added.
Fisherman turns up dead after launch hits boat in Bhola
A fisherman was killed and another suffered injuries as a launch hit their fishing boat in the Meghna River in Bhola early Saturday.
The deceased was identified as Md Kamal Jomaddar, 40, son of Aziz Jomaddar of Kondokpur village in Rajapur union of the upazila. The injured is Yusuf, son of Jasim Dhali of the same area.
Locals said a launch hit their boat while they were fishing in the Meghna River of Rajapur union in the early hours of Saturday. Yusuf managed to swim ashore but Kamal went missing.
Read: Death toll from Karatoa boat capsize rises to 68
On information, Coast Guard members started a rescue operation in the area and recovered the body of Kamal around 2pm today, said the Coast Guard’s South Zone Media Officer Lieut. KM Shafiul Kinzel.
The dead body will be handed over to the family of the deceased following due process, Shafiul added.
Depression in Bay: 10 villages in Bhola inundated
At least 10 villages of Dhal Char union and Monpura union under Char Fasson upazila of Bhola went under water due to tidal surge caused by depression in the Bay of Bengal on Thursday.
Dhal Char union parishad chairman Abdus Salam said at least 1,500 people of his union remained marooned for eight hours from morning to afternoon.
The tidal water rose to 4-5 feet high and washed away many houses, shops and fish farms, Salam said.
He, however, doesn't know the amount of the affected properties and cattle.
On the other hand, Purbo Andirpar, Panschim Andirpar, Kawartek, Ishwarganj, Kulagazi Taluk village of Monpura union, Dasherhat, Sonarchar, Char Jatin, Char Gyan of Hajirhat union and Alamnagar and Mastarhat area of Uttar Sakuchia union were inundated by the tidal surge.
Besides, Char Khalek, Machhuakhali, and Kolatoli villages under the recently declared Kolatoli union went under seawater.
Moreover, more than 20000 people of Char Nizam, Badnar Char, Dhal Char, and Char Samsuddin have been marooned.
A depression over coastal Odisha and the adjoining Northwest Bay moved westwards and weakened into a well-marked low on Wednesday.
Read: Depression in Bay: Avoid Cox’s Bazar beach, say tourist police
On Thursday, the well-marked low over Chhattisgarh and adjoining areas of India moved westwards, weakening into a low pressure area over Madhya Pradesh and adjoining areas.
Steep pressure gradient persists over the North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh.
Squally weather may affect the maritime ports, the North Bay and the adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, said a Met office bulletin.
Bhola JCD leader’s death: 46 cops sued
A case has been filed against 46 policemen of Bhola sadar police station in connection with the death of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader Noor-e-Alam allegedly in police firing during a clash with police on July 31.
Iffat Zahan, wife of the JCD leader, filed the murder case with Bhola Sadar Senior Judicial Magistrate Court on Thursday, said Advocate Amirul Baset, a counsel of the plaintiff.
Officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station Arman Hossain and sub-inspector Anis Uddin were among the accused.
The court also asked the OC Sadar Police Station to submit the documents on September 8.
Noor-e-Alam, president of district unit JCD, who sustained bullet wounds during a clash between police and BNP activists on July 31, died at a hospital in the capital on August 3.
Read: 36 cops sued over killing of Bhola Swechchasebak Dal leader
As part of BNP’s countrywide demonstration programme protesting the ongoing load shedding and mismanagement in the power sector, the leaders and activists of the party gathered in front of their district party office in Bhola on July 31.
At one stage, police obstructed them when they tried to stage demonstrations at Kalinath Roy Bazar around 11:30 am, triggering a clash.
Later, police fired bullets and lobbed teargas shells that left local Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim dead and some other leaders and activists of the party inluidng Noor-e-Alam injured.
BNP on August 2 formed a 12-member committee to probe the police firing during the party’s demonstrations.
8 fishermen go missing as 2 trawlers sink in Bay, 13 rescued
Eight fishermen have gone missing as two trawlers capsized in the Bay of Bengal due to strong current triggered by monsoon depression, said Coast Guard.
Seven of the missing fishermen were identified as Md Russel, 35, Md Mannan, 36, Nazrul, 40, Abdur Rahman, 37, Taslim, 30, Md Ismail, 40, and Jewel, 32.
Two trawlers of ‘Kalam Majhi’ and ‘Yusuf Majhi’ of Dhalchar Union of Charfashion Upazila sank in the south Bay near Payra port in Patuakhali district on Tuesday, said Bhola Coast Guard South Zone Media Officer KM Shafiul Kinjal.
The fishing trawler of Yusuf Majhi with 13 fishermen sank in the Bay amid inclement weather in the afternoon. Although five fishermen including Yusuf Majhi were rescued, eight others went missing.
Read:Depression: Low-lying areas inundated in Bagerhat
Dhalchar fisherman Abul Hossain said the fishing trawler of Kalam Majhi with eight fishermen sank in the Bay near Dhalchar in the morning. However, all fishermen of this trawler were saved.
All the rescued fishermen are undergoing treatment at a local hospital in Patuakhali.
Six teams of the Coast Guard with their two ships started a rescue operation. However, the rescue operation is being disrupted due to severe weather condition, said KM Shafiul.
The depression over coastal Odisha and the adjoining Northwest Bay moved westwards and weakened into a well-marked low.
It now lies over Chhattisgarh and adjoining areas of India, according to a special bulletin of the Met office. It is likely to move northwestwards further.
Under its influence, steep pressure gradient persists over the North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh.
Squally weather may affect the maritime ports, the North Bay and the adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, as per the bulletin.
All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.
Don't cry, wake up: Fakhrul to BNP activists
Taking a vow to take revenge for the murder of Noor-e- Alam and Abdur Rahim who were killed in police firing in Bhola, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the party rank and file to take to movement instated of shedding tears to save the nation from the 'fascist' rule of Awami League.
"No more crying, we have to wake up now holding back tears as the nation must be saved from the oppression of this horrible authoritarian fascist government,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks in a brief address prior to a namaz-e-Janaza of Bhola District unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Noor-e-Alam in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
Noor-e-Alam who sustained bullet wounds during a clash between police and BNP activists on Sunday in Bhola, died at a hospital in the capital on Wednesday, raising the death toll from the incident to two.
Earlier on Sunday, Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim died as police fired bullets at a rally of BNP in Bhola.
Fakhrul said their party leaders and activists must continue their struggle by turning their grief into strength to restore democracy, free Khaleda Zia from jail and get rid of 35 lakh cases filed against them.
He said their party will wage a strong movement in a peaceful manner by organising and uniting the entire nation to oust the current government. ”We will take revenge for the killing of our sons, our brothers Noor-e-Alam and Abdur Rahim by creating a mass movement.”
In an emotion-choked voice, the BNP leader said there is no greater pain than bearing the dead body of a son on the shoulder of a father.
“We are seeing in front of us the body of our son Bhola Chhatra Dal President Nur-e-Alam as he was shot dead by the police forces of this fascist Awami League government. Our Bhola District Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim was also shot dead while 19 more people are fighting for lives at hospitals in Dhaka and Barisal,” he said.
Read:BNP withdraws daylong general strike after 6 hrs in Bhola
Fakhrul said the killing of BNP leaders and activists by the current regime is nothing new. “The Awami League government has killed over a thousand leaders and activists of ours and made around 600 others disappear over the last 15 years to cement a one-party rule.”
Hundreds of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies started taking positions on the road in front of the BNP central office in the morning as the slain JCD leader’s janaza was scheduled to be held at 11am, halting traffic on the busy thoroughfare.
The body of Noor-e-Alam was brought to Nayapaltan central office from the morgue of Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 12:45pm after conducting an autopsy. Many JCD leaders and activists were seen crying as the body arrived there.
Fakhrul along with party senior leaders paid homage to Noor-e-Alam by placing wreaths on his coffin and draping it with the party flag.
Later, his namaz-e-Janaza was held in front of the BNP office and then the body was sent to Bhola for burial.
As part of BNP’s countrywide demonstration programme protesting the ongoing load shedding and mismanagement in the power sector, the leaders and activists of the party gathered in front of their district party office in Bhola on Sunday last.
At one stage, police obstructed them when they tried to stage demonstrations at Kalinath Roy Bazar around 11:30 am, triggering a clash.
Later, police fired bullets and lobbed teargas shells that left Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim dead and some other leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies, including Noor-e-Alam, injured.
There day mourning
Mirza Fakhrul announced a three-day mourning beginning from Friday in memory of Noor-e-Alam and Abdur Rahim.
During the mourning, he said, black flags will be hoisted and the party flag will be kept at half-mast atop all BNP offices across the country. Doa mahfil will be arranged seeking the salvation of the departed souls of the two slain leaders.
Besides, he said JCD, Krishak Dal and Jubo Dal will stage rallies on August 6, 7 and 8 respectively in protest against their killing.
BNP withdraws daylong general strike after 6 hrs in Bhola
BNP has shortened their dawn-to-dusk general strike in Bhola by six hours which they called in protest against the death of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) district unit president Noor-e-Alam in a clash between police and supporters of the main opposition party.
The party said it has taken the decision considering peoples’ sufferings.
BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy made the announcement at a press briefing at district party office Thursday noon.
Gayeshwar alleged, “We have not seen any punitive measures or any action against police till date unless instruction comes from the upper level of the.”
He also demanded compensation for the families of those killed and the injured victims in the clash as well as action against police.
After the press conference, the wife and children of slain Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim were provided inancial assistance by BNP.
Following the announcement, shops opened and traffic movement became normal on the district roads.
Till 12pm today, the protesting BNP men staged demonstrations and brought out processions in different parts of the district in a peaceful manner, said BNP’s Bhola unit joint general secretary Humayun Kabir Sopan.
Read: JCD leader’s death: BNP observes day-long strike in Bhola
Due to the hartal, most shops and business establishments on Mahajanotti Sadar Road and the BNP office area remained shut in the morning.
Only a few vehicles were seen plying on the roads in the district. However, long-haul buses were seen plying on the Bhola-Charfashion route.
Besides, law enforcers were deployed at some major places of the district town to avoid any untoward situation.
Noor-e-Alam sustained bullet wounds during the clash with the police on Sunday.
Humayun said that Noor-e- Alam was taken to Comfort Hospital in the capital on the same day, where he succumbed to his injuries around 3.15pm on Wednesday. He had been on life support at the hospital.
As part of BNP’s countrywide demonstration programme protesting the ongoing load shedding and mismanagement in the power sector, the leaders and activists of the party gathered in front of their district party office in Bhola on Sunday.
At one stage, police obstructed them when they tried to stage demonstrations at Kalinath Roy Bazar around 11.30am, triggering a clash.
Later, police fired bullets and lobbed teargas shells that left local Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim dead and some other leaders and activists of the party injured.