Cyclone Hamoon: BIWTA suspends vessel movement in Barishal

As severe cyclonic storm ‘Hamoon’ is approaching BIWTA on Tuesday suspended movement of all kinds of vessels in Barishal division.

Riad Hossain, assistant director of River Security and Traffic Management Division of Bangladesh Inland and Water Service Authority (BIWTA) in Barishal said the authorities have decided to suspend movement of all kinds of vessels due to inclement weather.

The coastal districts including Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Barguna, Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur and Chandpur will remain under the purview of danger signal No 7 while the river port of Barishal district has been asked to hoist cautionary signal No 2.

Besides, at least 541 cyclone shelters have been prepared to accommodate people in the coastal areas while 61 medical teams are ready to provide medical services, said Deputy Commissioner Shahidul Islam while speaking at an emergency meeting held at his office today.

About 322 metric tonnes of rice have been kept ready while 770 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 9.36 lakh cash were allocated for the cyclone-hit areas.

Meanwhile, volunteers from Bangladesh Water Development Board, Fire Service, Red Crescent and other volunteer organisations are ready to deal with the situation.

The local administration also asked the fishermen to take safe shelter through loudspeakers and the launches were asked to anchor in safe position.