PM orders maximum alert

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed all relevant agencies and field-level administration to remain on maximum alert and work in close coordination to protect lives and property affected by widespread waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall, while separately ordering authorities to complete long-pending restoration projects for Dhanmondi and Gulshan lakes within their stipulated timeframe.

The directive on the flood response came during a virtual meeting from the Prime Minister’s Office with divisional commissioners, deputy inspectors general (DIGs) of police, deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs), civil surgeons and other field-level officials from all eight divisions.

Officials briefed the Prime Minister on the latest waterlogging situation in their respective areas, including the extent of damage, the condition of shelter centres, rescue operations, relief distribution and healthcare services.

The Prime Minister said protecting people’s lives and property must remain the administration’s highest priority during the ongoing emergency, stressing there was no room for negligence.

He instructed authorities to ensure the swift distribution of relief materials — including dry food, safe drinking water, baby food, essential medicines and healthcare services — to affected people.

Tarique Rahman also emphasised maintaining safe conditions at shelters by ensuring adequate sanitation, uninterrupted electricity and communication facilities, and gave special instructions to ensure healthcare services and security for women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and pregnant women.

To maintain law and order, the Prime Minister directed law enforcement agencies to remain on the highest alert to prevent criminal activities — including theft, robbery, hoarding and misappropriation of relief goods — that could take advantage of the disaster situation.

He stressed transparency and accountability in relief distribution, saying priority must be given to those genuinely affected.

The meeting also discussed disaster preparedness, rescue operations, coordination among different agencies, river water levels and regular monitoring of weather forecasts.

Officials joining from Chattogram informed the meeting that waterlogging in the port city had started to ease gradually.

However, they warned that the situation is worsening in the Sylhet region following damage to an embankment on the Manu River, while fresh waterlogging was feared in Rangpur division.

Following the briefing, the Prime Minister instructed the authorities to take all possible precautionary measures, keep the necessary manpower and equipment ready, and continue working in a coordinated manner to support affected communities.

In a separate meeting held at the Cabinet Division conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat, Tarique Rahman directed the authorities concerned to complete projects to restore Dhanmondi and Gulshan lakes within the stipulated timeframe, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to protect the capital’s environment and water bodies.

The meeting focused on the restoration and development of the two lakes and the installation of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).

Officials briefed the Prime Minister on a Dhaka South City Corporation project to restore and redevelop Dhanmondi Lake, construct Nazrul Sarobar, and install STPs as part of broader efforts to modernise Dhaka’s sewerage system.

The meeting also decided to take effective measures to disconnect all illegal waste discharge lines flowing into Gulshan and Baridhara lakes within the next six months.

Officials further informed the meeting that the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) will lead a programme to clean, beautify and improve the environmental condition of Gulshan Lake.

The Prime Minister reviewed several presentations on restoring Dhaka’s lakes, improving their cleanliness, and expanding the installation of sewage treatment plants in residential and commercial buildings.

He emphasised the timely implementation of the projects and called for a coordinated approach to protecting the capital’s environment and preserving its water bodies.

The meeting was attended by State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam; State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmed Sohel Monjur; Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator M Safiqul Islam Khan; Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator M Abdus Salam; Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar; and other senior officials.