Authorities have expanded emergency coordination across the flood-hit Chattogram region, combining relief distribution, rescue operations, examination postponements and longer-term infrastructure plans to address the impact of heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides.
The Bangladesh government has announced a 10-point response plan to support people affected by flooding in the Chattogram region, including the opening of 1,057 emergency shelters, the allocation of 215 million taka and 3,450 metric tons of rice for five districts and the deployment of the military where necessary.
The measures were announced on Friday in a Facebook post by Mahdi Amin, adviser to the prime minister and spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mahdi Amin said Prime Minister Tarek Rahman was personally monitoring the disaster situation and had instructed authorities to maintain constant oversight of the flood-hit areas.
He said the prime minister had also directed leaders and activists of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), regardless of political affiliation, to remain active on the ground and ensure maximum assistance for affected people.
According to Mahdi Amin, the prime minister also instructed local administrations, elected representatives and members of parliament to work together in disaster response, assess damage, carry out rapid rescue operations and implement rehabilitation efforts.
The 10 directives announced by the government are as follows:
The prime minister is personally monitoring the disaster-affected areas around the clock. The Prime Minister’s Office is maintaining regular communication with deputy commissioners, upazila executive officers, members of law enforcement agencies and other relevant officials while providing necessary instructions.
A total of 1,057 shelters have already been opened across flood-affected areas of Chattogram Division, where more than 12,000 people have taken refuge.
Under the General Relief (GR) programme, 215 million taka in cash assistance and 3,450 metric tons of rice have been allocated and delivered as quickly as possible to flood victims in the five affected districts of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.
The government has ensured the supply of safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, healthcare services, baby food and three meals a day in the affected areas.
In view of the emergency situation, the military has been deployed where necessary alongside law enforcement agencies to strengthen rescue operations in the hilly areas.
Members of parliament and elected local representatives are visiting inundated areas on behalf of the prime minister to convey messages of support and stand beside affected communities in person.
Leaders and activists of the ruling BNP and its affiliated organisations have joined relief efforts, while the government administration, various ministries, law enforcement agencies, the military and the Bangladesh Coast Guard are working together from the field level to the central administration.
Ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations have been postponed in the affected areas because of heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides.
Local administration officials, accompanied by party leaders and activists, are visiting the homes of affected families to express condolences to the relatives of those killed or injured in the disaster and to ensure necessary assistance.
The government has planned to raise the Chattogram to Dohazari railway line by five feet to reduce the risk of waterlogging after continuous heavy rainfall submerged the route. The tender process has already begun for work to elevate the 47-kilometre railway line, and permanent housing will be provided in safe locations for residents living in areas at risk of landslides.
