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

Publish: 5:24 PM, October 25, 2022 | Update: 5:24 PM, 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.