Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses. Share the link of this article with your facebook friends

 

12 People Killed, 10,000 Houses Damaged by Cyclone Sitrang in Bangladesh,

October 25, 2022 

Cyclone Sitrang in Bangladesh, October 26, 2022

 

Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ kills 12 in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Today, October 25, 2022      

At least 12 people were killed in six districts in the country as cyclonic storm Sitrang hit Bangladesh coastline on Monday and crossed Barishal-Chattogram coast early today leaving a trail of devastation in coastal districts.

Sitrang’s impact on life and property started becoming evident today (Tuesday) after the cyclonic storm became very weak lying in Netrokona and adjoining areas to disappear by 3pm.

Our correspondents from Cumilla, Bhola, Barguna, Noakhali, Sirajganj and Gopalganj reported that most of the casualties happened due to fall of branches of trees since Monday as the country saw moderate to heavy downpours induced by cyclonic storm Sitrang in the last 24 hours till 6am today .

In Cumilla, three of a family were killed as a tree fell on them at Nangalkot upazila, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Md Raihan Mehebub confirmed it to BSS.

The deceased are Nizam Uddin, 28, his wife Sathi Akhter, 24 and daughter Liza, 4.

He said a tree fell on a house at Hesakhal village in the upazila around 9pm on Monday leaving the three critically wounded.

They were taken to upazila health complex where on duty doctors declared them dead.

Bhola correspondent reports: Three persons were killed as tree branches fell on them at Daulatkhan and Charfashan upazilas.

The deceased are Mafidul Haque, 65, resident of ward no 3 under Dhania union of Daulatkhan and Bibi Kateja, 80, resident of ward no 7 under Daulatkhan municipality and Manir Swarnakar, 35, resident of Hajirganj union under Charfashan upazila.

District relief and rehabilitation officer SM Delwar Hossain confirmed this to BSS.

In Sirajganj, two died as a boat capsized in a canal of river Jamuna in the Sadar upazila between Purbomohon area of Saydabad union and Shilpa Park on Monday due to heavy wind and downpours induced by cyclonic storm.

Bangabandhu Bridge West Thana officer-in-charge Mosaddeq Hossain confirmed this to BSS.

The deceased are Ayesha Khatun, 28, resident of Purbomohon village and her son Arafat Hossain, 2.

Tungipara (Gopalganj) correspondent reports: Two women died as trees fell on them in Panch Kahania and Banshbaria villages under the upazila on Monday night.

The deceased are Sharmin Begum, 25, resident of Panch Kahania village and Rumichha Begum, 65, resident of Banshbaria village under Tungipara upazila. This was confirmed by OC Abul Mansur.

In Barguna, an elderly woman, nearly 100-year-old, died as an uprooted tree fell on her house while she was taking dinner around 8pm at Burirchar union under Sadar upazila. Burirchar union chairman Humayun Kabir confirmed the incident.

Our Noakhali correspondent reports: A child was killed as an uprooted tree fell on their house around 3am on Tuesday at Habibia village under Subarnachar upazila.

The deceased is Sneha, 1, daughter of Advocate Abdullah of the village. Char Jabbar thana OC Deb Priyo Das confirmed it.

Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ kills 12 in Bangladesh (thebangladeshtoday.com)

***

Barishal sees highest 324mm rainfall induced by cyclone Sitrang

 Bangladesh Today, October 25, 2022     

Barishal witnessed the highest 324 millimeters (mm) rain induced by cyclonic storm Sitrang while 315mm rain was recorded at Madaripur station followed by Dhaka, Tangail, Khepupara, Mongla, Patuakhali, Bhola, Khulna and Faridpur stations in the last 24 hours till 6am today.

Dhaka recorded 255mm rain, Tangail 251mm, Khepupara 232mm, Mongla in Bagerhat 230mm, Patuakhali 219mm, Bhola 218mm, Khulna 217mm, Faridpur 213, Gopalganj 188mm and Nikli 147mm during the period, said a Met Office bulletin here today.

It added that light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions in the next 24 hours commencing from 9am today.

The cyclonic storm “Sitrang” now lies over Netrokona and adjoining area as a well-marked low. It is likely to move north or northeast further and become unimportant within six hours by 3pm, said a met office spokesperson this morning.

Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, the met office forecasts.

Barishal sees highest 324mm rainfall induced by cyclone Sitrang (thebangladeshtoday.com)

***

Cyclone Sitrang damages 10,000 houses, kills 9: Enamur

Bangladesh Today, October 25, 2022

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman today said cyclonic storm Sitrang has damaged around 10,000 houses at 419 unions of the country and killed at least nine people.

“Due to the cyclone, 6000 hectors of cropland and 1000 fishing ghers were damaged. Nine people were killed. Of them, eight died due to fall of trees on houses,” he told a post-cyclone press conference at the secretariat here.

However, BSS correspondents from different districts have reported that at least 12 people were killed as the cyclone hit Bangladesh coastline at 9pm on Monday and crossed Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola at midnight last night.

The state minister said another cyclone may hit the country in December and “We are taking up preparations to face it as per the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He said corrugated steel sheet and cash money will be given from tomorrow to repair damaged houses, Enamur said adding that it will take 15 days more to know the actual scenario of the damages.

Enamur said each family of the deceased will get Taka 25,000 assistance. Two families of Gopalganj have already received the assistance, he said.

He said fishermen who faced losses will get interest free loan.

The state minister said around 10 lakh people were evacuated at around 7000 shelter centres in the coastal regions while people started returning home since midnight last night after the cyclone completed crossing Bangladesh coast and moved over land, he said.

By morning today, everyone left shelter center, he added.

Cyclone Sitrang damages 10,000 houses, kills 9: Enamur (thebangladeshtoday.com)

***

Cyclone Sitrang leaves a trail of destruction

The Daily Star of Bangladesh, Wed Oct 26, 2022 06:14 PM

The cyclone-hit people in Jelepara of Chattogram are collecting wood from damaged houses for repairing their homes again in Charfesson of Bhola. The photo was taken today (October 26, 2022). Photo: Monir Uddin Anik/Star

Cyclone Sitrang left a trail of destruction as it swept through the country on Monday night (October 24, 2022).

Due to the cyclone, thousands of trees were uprooted and embankments along the coastline were breached in many places, leaving low lying areas in Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Noakhali, and Khulna inundated.

Over 50 buffaloes wash ashore at Sitakunda

Star Digital Report Tue Oct 25, 2022 10:27 PM Last update on: Tue Oct 25, 2022 10:39 PM Photo: Collected

More than 50 buffaloes have washed ashore at Sitakunda in Chittagong this afternoon (October 25, 2022).

Locals said the buffaloes have washed away in the tidal water at some places on the sea coast, including the signboard of Sonaichhari union of the upazila, chairman ghata of Bhatiari, Akilpur of Bashanbaria and Akilpur of Kumira union around noon, reports our Chattogram staff correspondent.

After locals spotted the animals, they informed the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) through local public representatives in this regard.

Mukib Hasan, sub-inspector of Sitakunda Police Station said many buffaloes were rescued and handed over to the local union parishad members.

Sitakundu Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shahadat Hossain said "We have received information about the recovery of at least 50 buffaloes. Local chairmen have been instructed to keep buffaloes safe. Owners can take the buffaloes with proper evidence."

The UNO also said it seems that the animals have washed away from different chars of Sandwip upazila. A few years ago, such buffaloes came to Sitakunda from Sandwip.

Cyclone Sitrang: Barishal sees highest 324mm rainfall

BSS, Dhaka Tue Oct 25, 2022 03:17 PM

Barishal witnessed the highest 324 mm rain due to cyclonic storm Sitrang in the last 24 hours till 6am Tuesday, October 25, 2022. Photo: Titu Das

Barishal witnessed the highest 324 millimeters (mm) rain due to cyclonic storm Sitrang in the last 24 hours till 6am today (October 25, 2022).  

Meanwhile, some 315mm rain was recorded at Madaripur station followed by Dhaka, Tangail, Khepupara, Mongla, Patuakhali, Bhola, Khulna and Faridpur stations during the period.

The bulletin said light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions in the next 24 hours commencing from 9am today.

Sitrang damages 10,000 houses, 6,000 hectares of cropland

State minister for disaster management says Star Digital Report Tue Oct 25, 2022 02:29 PM Last update on: Tue Oct 25, 2022 04:29 PM Photo: Mahbubur Rahman Khan

Mentioning that there is possibility of another cyclone in December, State Minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given directive to the Ministry in advance to take preparations for it.

At a briefing at the Secretariat on post impact of Sitrang, the State Minister said about 10,000 houses of 419 unions were damaged by the cyclone.

Besides, 6,000 hectares of agricultural land and 1,000 shrimp farms were also damaged, he said

Enamur said Interest free loans will be given to the shrimp farmers so that they can recoup the loss.

He also said that 10 lakh people took shelter at 6,925 shelter centres ahead of the Sitrang and they left the centres in the morning.  

Cyclone Sitrang: Dhaka-Khulna, Dhaka-Barishal highways reopen after 10hrs

UNB, Faridpur Tue Oct 25, 2022

Transport movement on Dhaka-Khulna and Dhaka-Barishal highways resumed this morning (October 25, 2022), nearly 10 hours of suspension as uprooted trees blocked several stretches during Cyclone Sitrang.

Around 8:30pm yesterday (October 24, 2022), the cyclone started lashing Bangladesh, uprooting trees. "As the fallen trees blocked at least 80km areas on the two highways, the movement of vehicles had to be suspended," said Taimur Alam, officer-in-charge of Bhanga Highway Police Station.

Around 7am today, vehicular movement resumed on the two highways after highway police and fire service removed the fallen trees, said the OC.

During heavy rains and storm influenced by the cyclone, trees broke down in the Talma Pukuria area on the Dhaka-Barishal highway and in Majhra, Majhigati, Risatala, Joy Bangla, Kailar Mor, Mansurabad on the Dhaka-Khulna highway, said police and fire officials.

Cyclone Sitrang crossed the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola on midnight and weakened rapidly into a depression by giving precipitation, the met office said in its latest bulletin.

Predicting landslides through rainfall

Staff Correspondent Tue Oct 25, 2022

Lal Tha Zual, a young volunteer from Bandarban's Faruk Para village, alerted the people of his village of a potential landslide on September 2, after predicting it by applying a technique that she learnt last year.

She asked her neighbours not to go to certain areas in the following two or three days where they used to go regularly for hill farming.

The secret to this accurate prediction was measuring the amount of rainfall in her region using a rain gauge for seven straight days. Zual learned this technique under an initiative to disseminate this knowledge.

She shared the story at a workshop on landslide early-warning systems held at the multipurpose hall of Department of Disaster Management yesterday.

Around 65 such altruists were trained by local organisations Tahzindong and Bolipara Nari Kalyan Somity (BNKS) under the "Sokkhomokta" project in six areas of Bandarban and Lama upazilas.

Funded by USAID, Caritas Bangladesh, in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), is conducting the project, which started in 2020.

This is reportedly the first community-based early warning system in the country, where volunteers go door-to-door to alert people and evacuate them from landslide-prone areas when they sense the possibility of its occurrence. If it rains more than 100 millimetres a day, more than 250 millimetres in three days, or more than 350 millimetres in seven days, there is a risk of landslides.

Caritas Bangladesh's Head of Disaster Management Alexander Tripura and Department of Disaster management's Director General Atiqul Haque spoke at the event among others. The event was presided over by Netai Chandra Dey, director (MIM) of Department of Disaster Management.

Sitrang brings rain, rain brings sufferings

Staff Correspondent Tue Oct 25, 2022 12:00 AM Last update on: Tue Oct 25, 2022 01:24 AM Just after a few hours of rainfall, many areas of the capital were inundated yesterday. The city’s dysfunctional drainage system could not handle the downpour, brought upon by cyclone Sitrang. And so, people had to endure the murky waters. This photo was taken in Adabor area around noon. Photo: Rashed Shumon

Many areas of the capital have been inundated due to continuous rain since the early hours of yesterday. The rainfall, influenced by cyclone Sitrang, brought immense suffering to the city dwellers throughout the day.

The rain was pouring continuously as of filing this report at 8:13pm.  Low-lying areas went underwater, and this made everyone dread their scheduled commute.

According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department, 120 mm of rain was recorded in 12 hours till 6:00pm yesterday.

In the morning, office and school-goers had to struggle to reach their destinations amid the rain. Lack of public transport, and auto-rickshaw drivers and rickshaw-pullers charging extra fares made the situation worse. The heavy wind did not make the situation any better.

Most of them said they had to wait for at least half an hour, if not more to board a public bus.

However, the situation started deteriorating in the evening as most of the commuters got marooned on their way back home.

Md Shahnawaz Khan Chandan, a teacher at Jagannath University, said he started from Sadarghat at 2:00pm and reached Farmgate at 6:30pm, after four hours of a harrowing experience.

He said it almost took two hours for his private car to hustle through the waterlogged narrow streets of Old Dhaka and reach Gulistan area.

"My driver had to repair the car as water entered its engine. However, I had to continue as I had an important meeting. There was no public transport, and all the rickshaws and CNG-run three-wheelers were occupied, while vehicles of the ride-sharing apps were unavailable," he said.

Other commuters shared similar stories when approached by The Daily Star.

Cyclone Sitrang is set to hit Bangladesh between 6:00am and 7:00am today, according to the government and BMD sources.

The Met office has hoisted danger signal 7 in the coastal districts, which may go up to signal 10.

Disaster Warning: Radar station inactive for 4yrs

Authorities point to faulty machine components Sohrab Hossain Tue Oct 25, 2022 12:00 AM Last update on: Tue Oct 25, 2022 02:24 AM

Due to technical problems, operations of Patuakhali's Kalapara radar station have remained suspended for four whole years.

The station has been non-operational since April 26, 2018, due to problems in components of the imaging unit. It is unable to forecast cyclones properly.

According to the radar station authority, the station was built on 10.16 acres of land in 1969 in Kalapara town. In 2008, the technical effectiveness of conventional radar decreased.

After dismantling the centre's old infrastructure and discarding the conventional technology, Japan Radio Company installed the world's most advanced Doppler-technology radar. This was funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).

Asaduzzaman Khan, assistant director of Kalapara office's Cyclone Preparedness Programme, said it is crucial for the people of the coastal areas to get regular weather reports.

The advanced technology can issue early warning messages and help reduce the loss of life and damage caused by disasters. If the radar station is not operational, people's lives and properties remain at great risk.

Asaduzzaman Khan Assistant director of Kalapara office's cyclone preparedness programme

"This advanced technology can issue early warning messages, help save lives and prevent damages caused by disasters. If the radar station is not operational, people's lives and properties remain at great risk," he said.

The transmitter installed for power transmission at the station was broken for over two years, halting power supply. Due to the weather conditions, the station had to use generators. Electricity poles and new transmitters were installed two months ago. However, the connection has not been set up yet.

Kalapara Rural Electricity Deputy General Manager Sajib Pal said, "The work of installing a new transmitter has been completed. We will provide an electricity connection shortly."

Abdul Jabbar Sharif, an electronics engineer of the station, said several parts of the frequency image unit have been malfunctioning.

"It [station] cannot determine the speed, strength, intensity and position of the cyclone. Due to the suspension of operational activities, the process of collecting data and information of cyclones have to be run through the stations in Cox's Bazar, Moulvibazar, Dhaka's Agargaon and the one along the Bay of Bengal," he said.

Contacted, Mohibbur Rahman, lawmaker of Patuakhali-4 (Kalapara-Rangabali) and member of the parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry, said, "This is a very important public issue. I have written to the defence ministry regarding this. I have also discussed this in the parliamentary committee meeting."

"A team of experts has already visited the station. Hopefully, the parts will be installed shortly and the operational activities will start soon as well," he added.

Cyclone Sitrang: All edu institutions in 3 divisions declared closed

Star Digital Report Mon Oct 24, 2022

All educational institutions in Chattogram, Barishal and Khulna divisions-- have been declared closed due to Cyclone Sitrang.

The Ministry of Education issued a notification on this regard today (October 24, 2022).

According to the notification, the ministry has instructed to use the educational institutions in the cyclone-hit areas as shelter centres.

The educational institutions that will be used as shelter centers will remain closed until further notice, added the notification.  

Cyclone Sitrang

Over 2.19 lakh people evacuated from coastal areas

BSS, Dhaka Mon Oct 24, 2022

Over 2.19 lakh people from 15 coastal districts of the country were evacuated until 5 pm today while more were expected to take refuge in safe shelters overnight as cyclone Sitrang approaches Bangladesh's southwestern coastlines, officials said.

"At least 219,990 people have been taken to cyclone centers in 15 coastal districts by 5pm today," a Disaster Management and Relief Ministry spokesman told BSS this evening.

A joint secretary of the ministry, M Moniruzzaman, added that the evacuation process was underway to minimise human casualties as "we have kept 6,925 cyclone centers ready" expecting the last person exposed to cyclone to take refuge there.

His comments came as coastal districts of Patuakhali and Barguna already started witnessing the impacts of the cyclone's tip while the epicenter of the cyclone advanced further was located 170 kilometres south-southwest off Payra Seaport, 220 km south-southwest off Mongla seaport, 275 km southwest off Chattogram and 240 km off Cox's Bazar.

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.

Cyclone Sitrang

Star Digital Report Mon Oct 24, 2022

A rickshaw-puller has been crushed to death in Dhaka's Hazaribagh area after a wall collapsed due to squally weather and gusty wind owing to Cyclone Sitrang.

The deceased rickshaw-puller is yet to be identified, confirmed Inspector Bachchu Miah, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost.

The incident took place at Hazaribagh's Maneshwar road this evening (October 24, 2022).

Two others, the passenger of the rickshaw and a motorcyclist, has also been injured in the incident, he added.

Woman dies after branch falls on her in Narail

Star Digital Report Mon Oct 24, 2022

A woman died after a branch fell on her due to heavy winds caused by cyclone Stirang in Lohagara upazila of Narail this (October 24, 2022) noon.

The deceased was identified as Marjina Begum, 37, a resident the upazila's Rajopur area, reports our Khulna correspondent.

Quoting locals, Md Nasir Uddin, officer-in-charge of Lohagara Police Station, said the woman, who used to work as a domestic help, came out of her house around 12pm to go to work. On her way, a branch of a tree fell on her near Lohagara upazila parishad complex area.

Locals rescued and took her to a nearby hospital where on duty doctors declared her dead, said the police official.

Cyclone Sitrang lashes Bangladesh

Star Digital Report Mon Oct 24, 2022

Cyclone Sitrang formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal late yesterday (October 23, 2022).  Coastal districts of Bangladesh have been experiencing torrential rains owing to the cyclone.

Below are some of the updates of Cyclone Sitrang that started crossing Bangladesh territory this evening:

Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Barishal airports will remain closed for 21 hours -- from 3pm today to 12pm tomorrow -- due to the inclement weather. Launch and speedboat movement on 12 routes from Barishal river port has been suspended due to heavy rains and gusty wind Wall collapses in Dhaka killing a rickshaw-puller Woman killed in Narail after branch falls on her All vessels anchored at the jetties and the outer anchorage of Chattogram port are being sent to the deeper sea Internet services in coastal areas are being disrupted due to a lack of electricity Thirteen trawlers capsized in Bay of Bengal Army, navy, and the coast guard are expected to evacuate people from hard-to-reach areas.

Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) directs authorities concerned to use all secondary schools and colleges as temporary shelters Power Division asks subordinate bodies to open control rooms Most of the areas of Patuakhali district have been facing power outage since last night 'Alert-3' issued at Mongla port; Loading and unloading of goods halted Cyclone to hit Barguna and Patuakhali at 6am tomorrow; At least 19 Bangladeshi coastal districts are at high risk Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and three others offshore islands could be the worst hit A total of 7,030 shelter centres have been kept ready, which have accommodations of 25 lakh people in 15 districts 4 lakh people being evacuated from coastal areas 523 centres ready to shelter 5 lakh people in Ctg

Cyclone Sitrang lashes Bangladesh | Daily Star (thedailystar.net)

***

Share the link of this article with your facebook friends