Shawdesh Desk:

Chattogram -The local administration has prepared over 1000 shelters in the Chattogram district as the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha is likely to cross Cox’s Bazar-Myanmar’s north coast by 6 pm on Sunday.

The authorities concerned will start the evacuation process from this afternoon, said Deputy Commissioner Abul Bashar Fakhruzzaman.

According to the sources at local administration, the authorities concerned have opened 530 permanent and 500 temporary cyclone centres in the district where 5,01,110 people can be accommodated.

Besides, 8880 volunteers under Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) and 8000 more under Red Crescent Society are ready to evacuate people.

Fire service and civil defence, Navy, Coast Guard rescue boats and medical teams with adequate equipment are also ready.

Among the cyclone centres, 112 were opened in Fatikchhari, 18 in Hathazari, 85 in Mirsarai, 217 in Rangunia, two in Raozan, 116 in Sandwip, 25 in Sitakunda, 122 in Banshkhali, eight in Boalkhali, six in Chandanish, 126 in Patiya, four in Satkania, 58 in Anwara, 28 in Lohagarah, and 10 in Karnaphuli upazilas of the district.

The local administration has provided dry foods, drinking water and cash at the centres.

Besides, 94 cyclone centres were opened in Chattogram port city where 608 metric tonnes of rice, 3.5 metric tonnes of biscuits, 3.402 metric tonnes of dry cakes, 30,000 packets of ORSaline and 60,000 tablets for purifying water were allocated.

“We are ready to tackle Cyclone Mocha and all the upazila Nirbahi officers and upazila project implementation officers have been asked to take necessary steps,” said Fakhruzzaman.

Cox’s Bazar and adjoining coastal regions will experience the peripheral effect of the very severe cyclonic storm by Saturday evening, said a special bulletin of the Met Office.

The coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Bhola and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge — 8-12 feet above normal tide.

Maritime ports of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram have been advised to keep hoisted great danger signal 8 while maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal 4.