‘Yaas’ affects 27 upazilas: Tidal surge inundates low-lying areas

Staff Reporter :
At least five people including three children died in three districts and many houses were damaged as 27 upazilas in the coastal areas in nine districts were affected of due to the Cyclone Yaas.
Some 2,000 people took shelter in 691 shelter centres in the area. However, they returned to their homes later.
State minister for disaster management Enaur Rahman said that Bangladesh was not severely affected by the cyclone.
The affected districts were Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Noakhali and Lakshmipur. The minister said at a press conference in the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Among those, some 250 mud-made houses and 900 cattle were washed away in water surge in Bhola.
Reports of damage from strong tides were received from Shymnagar, Ashasuni, Koyra, Dakop, Paikgachha, Sarankhola, Mongla, Morrelganj, Mathbaria, Barguna Sadar, Patharghata, Amtali, Patuakhali Sadar, Galachipa, Rangabali, Dasmina, Mirzaganj, Kalapara, Charfassion, Manpura, Tajumuddin, Daulatkhan, Borhanuddin, Bhola Sadar, Hatiya, Ramgati and Kamalnagar.
Sustainable embankment instalment and complete disaster management would be ensured in all coastal areas by 2031, he said.
He said 16,500 packets of dry and others foods had already been sent to the affected districts.
The state minister also discussed about the situation in 14 districts affected by the cyclone.
Meanwhile, our correspondents reported that at least five people died so far in Barishal, Bhola and Barguna districts.
The reports said, a rickshaw puller died at around 10:00pm on Tuesday in Char Chhakina village in Bhola when a tree fell on him.  
Besides, a child died after falling from the mother’s lap on way to a shelter in Betagi upazila of Barguna on Wednesday to escape tidal waves.
The deceased was identified as Imamul Hasan (3), son of Swapan Mia from Sarishamuri village in the upazila. In Bakerganj, two children named Sumaiya,3, and Azwa, 3, were drowned in surge water.
Another deceased had not been identified till the report was filing at 9:00pm.
Cox’s Bazar Met Department’s meteorologist said coastal embankment at several points in Cox’s Bazar were damaged and many areas were submerged caused the cyclone Yaas.
It said that sea levels could rise by three to six feet above normal as the Bay of Bengal is now very rough.
They said also that cautionary signal number 3 was hoisted but the coastal district is free from the risk of Cyclone Yaas’ impact.
The tidal waves sailed straight to the Marine Drive as the sea level increased several times more than normal.
In St Martin’s island, several parts of the jetty’s pontoon were damaged by the current. Some parts of the main jetty were also damaged. Dozens of houses in Delpara village on the island have been inundated by tidal water, our correspondent said.
In Kutubdia Upazila, Ali Akbardel union was flooded; many houses submerged.
Besiedes, dozens of houses were damaged in St Martin’s island and Shahporir Dip.
In Bagerhat districts, 5000 families become stranded due to the cyclone.
In Sundarbans areas, tidal surge submerged many more than the cyclone Amphan there.
According to Bhola meteorological office, wind was blowing at speed of 16 kilometer per hour and 15.4 mm of rainfall was recorded in the last 24 hours.
About 50 low-lying areas were inundated as the Meghna River swelled on Tuesday night under the influence of Cyclone ‘Yaas’.
Besides, 17 spots on the embankment of the Water Development Board were damaged due to tidal surge
Meanwhile, a team of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) rescued 12 people after a trawler they were boarding capsized in the rough sea near Bhashan Char in Noakhali.
The authorities on Tuesday had advised all fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution. They were also advised not to venture into the deep sea.
On the same day, the government suspended passenger vessel service in all inland river ports because of the cyclone.