Last Wednesday at around 4 pm Bangladesh time, the tip of Cyclone Amphan entered Bangladesh and hit Satkhira district. The cyclone crossed Satkhira, Khulna, Jessore, Jhenaidah and surrounding districts and left its mark on Pabna and Rajshahi districts.
In addition to the deaths, the tidal wave caused by Amphan has caused extensive damage. Crops, orchards, pond fish, shrimp farms and thousands of houses were destroyed. Vast areas have been flooded and the Bangladesh government has said it will take more time to determine the actual extent of the damage.
Super Cyclone Amphan hitting West Bengal & Kolkata Source: AAP
Irregular power supply
Mesbah Munna told SBS Bangla that the power went out in Kalapara on Tuesday night.
"We lost power here around 11 pm on Tuesday. Since then we have not received electricity. The power hasn't turned on yet. This is a big problem for us. That is why those of us who live in the city are deprived of water supply services. ”
"The fire service is working to remove the trees and uproot a number of electricity poles," journalist Mosharraf Hossain said.
"Now the whole area is without electricity. Internet connection is also disconnected. It goes without saying. And all in all, the situation is very bad. ”
The condition of the shelters
“Most of the people who went to the shelter have returned home," said Mesbah Munna.
"Only, there is an area of Lalua Union in Patuakhali, on the banks of the river Ramnabad, where the overall jetty of the port of Payra, there are still some people in a cyclone centre there. About 17 villages have taken shelter on Tuesday night, the night of the tidal wave. Because the dam in that area, the embankment has not been repaired since Sidr. ”
Nearly 170,000 people were believed to still be in shelters, where precautionary measures are being taken for Covid-19.
“Precautions are taken by the administration to maintain distance in compliance with prescribed health rules. But, in one situation it broke down. Safe distance but then it is not maintained, ”said Mosharraf Hossain.
He said that although there is relief aid it's not enough.
"No, no. Not enough relief aid was received. No food arrived at the three shelters at night yesterday. However, khichuri (hodgepodge/food prepared with rice, lentils, vegetables etc.) was distributed around noon. Today (May 21) morning cooked khichuri has also been given. ”
Shankar Lal Das told SBS Bangla, “They have been provided with adequate food and drink by the government and the administration, as well as iftar (opening/breaking of fasting on the sunset), supper and early morning sehri (Muslim people have this late supper before pre-dawn time) during Ramadan."
Trees lie uprooted on a highway from heavy winds ahead of Cyclone Amphan landfall in India Source: AP
Cropland destroyed
Bangladesh's Agriculture Minister says 18,000 hectares of land has been affected by the impact of the storm.
"After the cyclone started, a woman was killed when a tree fell on her at around 8 pm yesterday (20/5). Satkhira Sadar," said Mosharraf Hossain.
"And thousands of houses were destroyed, shops and countless trees uprooted. Fruit and forest trees have collapsed, extensive damage has been done. Road communication is closed. Road communication is closed due to numerous trees falling on the road. ”
“There is no mango in the mango orchards of Satkhira during this storm. Amrapali, Gopal Vhog, Nangra, mangoes that are so valuable, there is no mango. The trees have fallen. There is no crop in total. ”
Shankar Lal Das said,
“Patuakhali district is at the top of moong dhal (a type of lentil) production in the whole of Bangladesh. There has been a huge loss in the production of moong lentil. Farmers and cultivators have been severely affected. ”
A disaster management volunteer carries a sick child as villagers on the Bay of Bengal coast are evacuated as a precaution against Cyclone Amphan Source: AP
How long will it take for the situation to return to normal?
Mosharraf Hossain said "It will take a month to become more normal. The deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police are working together with the officials to normalize the situation. ”
Shankar Lal Das said, “No crop can be produced on an emergency basis to offset the loss of the crop. Aman paddy season is coming. Aman paddy is the only major crop in the south. It will be able to overcome the damage. ”
Meanwhile, the 55th Infantry Division of the Bangladesh Army has undertaken relief, rescue and medical assistance in the aftermath of the Amphan disaster.
