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Cyclone Yaas impact: 27 upazilas affected by storm surge
People of 27 upazilas across nine coastal districts of Bangladesh were hit by a three to six feet storm surge caused by Cyclone Yaas Wednesday.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said this at a media briefing in Dhaka.
Yaas moved inland into India's Odisha from the Bay of Bengal in the morning, but Bangladesh remained largely unscathed. However, people in districts such as Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Noakhali and Laxmipur have been affected by the high tide, Enamur said.
At least two deaths were reported in Bangladesh and thousands of people in 200 villages were marooned as their homes, shops and farms were flooded by tidal surges.
The "very severe cyclonic storm" packed sustained winds of 130-140 kilometres per hour and gusts of up to 155 kph when it made landfall, the India Meteorological Department said.
Also read: Cyclone Yaas: 2 deaths reported in Bangladesh, 5 in India
The affected upazilas include Shyamnagar, Asashuni, Koyra, Dakop, Paikgachha, Sharankhola, Mongla, Morelganj, Mathbaria, Barguna Sadar, Patharghata, Amtali, Patuakhali Sadar, Galachipa, Rangabali, Dashmina, Mirzaganj, Kolapara, Charfashion, Monpura, Tajumuddin, Dawlatkhan, Borhanuddin, Bhola Sadar, Hatia, Ramgati and Kamalnagar, Enamur informed.
The government rushed 16,500 packets of dry food to the affected residents of these areas, he said.
Cyclone Yaas: Unusual tides destroy Saint Martin's jetty
Most parts of the small jetty in Teknaf's Saint Martin's Island crumbled Wednesday as an aftermath of Cyclone Yaas and the combined force of a high tide and the 'super flower blood moon'.
It has been learned that the 300-metre jetty was set up in the fiscal year 2002-03 at a cost of Tk4,500 crore under the supervision of the Local Government Engineering Department for the convenience of about 10,000 residents of Saint Martin's and tourists visiting the island.
On November 15, 2007, the jetty's parking point was destroyed and two girders were damaged by Cyclone Sidr. Since then the jetty has become risky.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Parvez Chowdhury said, "The jetty has been in a battered condition for a long time. And the effects of Cyclone Yaas and the combined force of a high tide and a full moon made the jetty crumble. The higher authorities have been informed about the collapse of the jetty."
The only way of reaching Saint Martin's Island is via ship. However, the small jetty where small to medium passenger vessels are docked in Saint Martin's is unremarkable.
Md Nur Ahmed, chairman of Saint Martin's Island Union Parishad, said: "Cyclone Yaas caused erosion in the northern and northeastern parts of the island. Many trees were uprooted and blown away. The roads are falling apart. The jetty was destroyed by the waves."
Cyclone Yaas: 25 villages flooded in Hatia, Bhasan Char Rohingya camps not affected
Atleast 25 villages in Hatiya Island of the country have been flooded today as water is flowing 3 to 4 feet above the normal tide in the rivers adjacent to the upazila due to the impact of Cyclone Yaas.
Hatia Upazila Executive Officer Imran Hossain said the tidal water has increased due to the effects of Cyclone Yaas and the full moon. Adequate amount of dry food has been stored in 181 shelters of the island.
He also added that the cyclone had no effect on the Rohingya camp in Bhasan Char.
“Due to the Rohingya camps being established higher from the ground, tidal water could not enter there,” he added.
He also said that hundreds of passengers were stranded at the island as operations of water vessels have been suspended due to the storm.
Cyclone Yaas: 2 deaths reported in Bangladesh, 5 in India
At least two deaths were reported Wednesday in Bangladesh and five in India as Cyclone Yaas triggered storms and floods.
Reports sent by UNB correspondents indicate that dozens of houses have been damaged and low-lying areas inundated, cutting off road communication in some areas.
In Bhola, a man was killed after being hit by a falling tree branch during a storm triggered by Yaas in Lalmohan upazila of Bhola on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Abu Taher, 48, a local farmer. Bhola Deputy Commissioner Md Tawfiq-E-Lahi Chowdhury said Tk 20,000 has been provided to Taher’s family as assistance.
Bhola has been seeing drizzles and strong wind since Wednesday morning. Cyclone Yaas has made landfall in India’s Odisha.
Also read: 5 killed, damages incurred as cyclone Yaas completes landfall in eastern India
Child drowns in Bagerhat
Meanwhile, four-year-old Jinia died this afternoon after drowning near her house in Morrelganj upazila of Bagerhat.
Morrelganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Delwar Hossain said that the roads and drains of the Upazila have been inundated due to an unusual increase in the water level of Panguchi River.
Jinia fell into the overflowing drain and drowned, he said.
Meanwhile, at least 5,000 families in Sarankhola, Morrelganj and Mongla upazilas have been stranded today as water level in the rivers adjacent to these places have gone up due to the impact of Cyclone Yaas.
Besides, an embankment in Mongla was damaged at three places due to excessive tidal pressure leaving at least 500 families stranded in Kainmari, Sundartala, Kaltala, Jaymoni and South Kaimari villages of the upazila on Wednesday afternoon.
Also read: Cyclone Yaas: 2 reported dead in Bangladesh
Low-lying areas inundated in Khulna
Low-lying areas in Koyra, Dacope and Paikgachha upazilas of Khulna were inundated by tidal surge triggered by Cyclone Yaas.
The residents of the upazilas have been experiencing light rains or drizzles since Wednesday noon and the local administration has opened over 1,000 cyclone shelters.
The local Met Office, meanwhile, recorded 21mm rainfall in the past two days.
Government mulls National Water Grid Line: LGRD Minister
Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam said on Wednesday the government plans to launch National Water Grid Line to ensure safe water supply across the country, including the coastal areas.
He said this while addressing virtually the Governing Board Meeting-2021 at The Regional Center on Urban Water Management (RCUWM).
He also called on member states to launch inter-border water grid lines to deal with regional water issues.
Safe drinking water supply has become a challenge not only in the coastal areas but also in some other parts of the country, Tajul said.
This challenge would be met if water could be supplied through zones and sub-zones via the National Water Grid Line, he mentioned.
The LGRD Minister also proposed to explore the possibility of taking the idea of constructing a cross-border water grid between Bangladesh and RCUWM member countries.
Ministers of Water Ministries of 18 countries and members of international organizations including UNESCO, UNDP, FAO, WMO, IWA, IsDB participated in this virtual conference chaired by the Iranian Minister of Energy.
Cyclone Yaas: 2 reported dead in Bangladesh
At least two deaths were reported Wednesday as Cyclone Yaas triggered storms and floods in the coastal areas of Bangladesh.
Reports sent in by UNB correspondents indicate that dozens of houses have been damaged and low-lying areas inundated, cutting off road communication in some areas.
In Bhola, a man was killed after being hit by a falling tree branch during a storm triggered by Yaas in Lalmohan upazila of Bhola on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Abu Taher, 48, a local farmer. Bhola Deputy Commissioner Md Tawfiq-E-Lahi Chowdhury said Tk 20,000 has been provided to Taher’s family as assistance.
Bhola has been seeing drizzle and strong wind since Wednesday morning. Cyclone Yaas has made landfall in India’s Odisha.
Also read: Severe cyclonic storm Yaas weakens after hitting Odisha, WB coast
Child drowns in Bagerhat
Meanwhile, four-year-old Jinia died this afternoon after drowning near her house in Morrelganj upazila of Bagerhat.
Morrelganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Delwar Hossain said that the roads and drains of the Upazila have been inundated due to an unusual increase in the water level of Panguchi River.
Jinia fell into the overflowing drain and drowned, he said.
Low-lying areas inundated in Khulna
Low-lying areas in Koyra, Dacope and Paikgachha upazilas of Khulna were inundated by tidal surge triggered by Cyclone Yaas.
The residents of the upazilas have been experiencing light rains or drizzles since Wednesday noon and the local administration has opened over 1,000 cyclone shelters.
Also read: Impact of cyclone Yaas: Child drowns, 5000 families stranded in Bagerhat
The local met office, meanwhile, recorded 21mm rainfall in the past two days.
Lighter vessels sink in rough sea
Twelve crew members were rescued after a lighter ship capsized in the Bay of Bengal today in the rough sea near Bhasanchar due to the impact of Cyclone Yaas.
Squadron Leader Saiful Alom of Bangladesh Air Force, in charge of the rescue operations, confirmed UNB about the development.
“Two rescue helicopters reached the spot within a very short time from Patenga Air Force Base and rescued 12 crew members who were floating in the middle of the sea,” he said.
In Chattogram, the coastal areas of Patenga have been submerged in tidal waters due to the impact of the cyclone. Water is entering the locality through the embankment damaged by the strong waves, according to our correspondent.
Also read: Ship capsize: Air Force helicopters rescue 12 sailors
50 houses destroyed in Jhenaidah
Three persons were injured while some 50 houses were damaged in a storm at Armukhi village in Sadar upazila of Jhenaidah on Tuesday night.
Kabir Hossain, chairman of Naldanga Union, said a two-kilometre stretch of the village from Kutipara to West Para was flattened during the storm lasting for about 15-20 seconds.
The low-lying areas of Burigoalini union in Satkhira's Shyamnagar upazila have been inundated following heavy showers and the onrush of river water.
Some 15 areas, including Gabura, Koikhali, Munshiganj and Padmapukur in the Burigoalini area of the upazila, were flooded Tuesday night after the river water level rose by three-to-four foot.
However, hardly anyone has taken shelter at the cyclone shelters till Wednesday morning despite repeated appeals by the local administration.
Impact of cyclone Yaas: Child drowns, 5000 families stranded in Bagerhat
A four-year-old child named Jinia died on Wednesday afternoon by drowning in tidal water near her house in Morrelganj upazila of Bagerhat.
Morrelganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Delwar Hossain said that the roads and drains of the Upazila have been inundated due to unusual increase in water level in Panguchi river because of cyclone Yaas.
"A child today died by drowning after falling into a drain which was filled with tidal water adjacent to her house,” he added.
Meanwhile, at least 5000 families in Sarankhola, Morrelganj and Mongla upazilas have been stranded as water level in the rivers adjacent to these places have gone up due to the impact of cyclone Yaas.
Severe cyclonic storm Yaas weakens after hitting Odisha, WB coast
Sever Cyclonic Storm Yaas which intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over Northwest Bay and adjoining area completed crossing North Odisha-West Bengal coast between North of Dhamra & South of Balasore by 3pm on Wednesday.
Then it weakened into a severe cyclonic storm and now lies over coastal North Odisha, said a bulletin of Bangladesh Metrological Department.
Also read: Cyclone Yaas makes landfall in eastern India
It may move north-northwestwards further over land and weakened gradually, it added.
The met office forecast rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind at most places over Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur & Chattogram divisions and at many places over Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country.
Also read: Cyclone 'Yaas': 1 killed, low-lying areas inundated in Bhola
Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged and night temperature may fall slightly over the country, it added.
Cyclone Yaas: Navy ready for rescue, relief
Eighteen warships, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters of Bangladesh Navy have been kept ready to combat the effects of Cyclone Yaas.
As part of its three-tier preparations to carry out post-cyclone emergency rescue operations, Navy has put 18 ships on standby in areas like Chattogram, Mongla, Barishal, Jhalokati, Barguna, Patuakhali, Khulna, Satkhira, Pirojpur, Narayanganj and Saint Martin Island.
Navy ships – Samudra Avijan, Sagar, Shadhinota, Prottoy, Nirmul, Shapla, Nirbhoy, Aporajoy, Adommo, Gomti, Hatia, Sandeep, Shah Paran, Shah Makdum, LCT-105, LCVP-011 and LCVP-013 – have taken necessary preparations to collect information regarding rescue operations in the sea areas alongside maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters, according to Inter Services Public Relation Directorate.
Ship capsize: Air Force helicopters rescue 12 sailors
Air Force helicopters rescued 12 sailors floating on the sea after their lighter ship capsized in the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday, authorities said.
The sea was rough due to impact of Cyclone Yaas when the vessel capsized near Bhasanchar in southern Noakhali district, they said.
Squadron leader Saiful Alom of Bangladesh Air Force, who led the rescue operation, confirmed the news to UNB.