State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Dr. Md. Enamur Rahman, said that the level of flooding on the coast was 'tolerable' as an impact of Cyclone Mocha, and the information about the disaster's damage had not yet been received. The state minister said this today while briefing reporters on cyclone 'Mocha' in his office at the Secretariat.
Highlighting the latest situation of the cyclone, the state minister said the reporters that from 6 am, the tip of the cyclone started to cross the coast of Cox's Bazar, Teknaf, Saint Martin and Myanmar. It is still ongoing. In the afternoon, it will cross the coast and move towards Myanmar. Since the low tide has started since morning, there is no major threat of high tide. The level is also tolerable.
He said, "The storm has weakened so far and is crossing Bangladesh and Myanmar. However, the storm speed is still 200 to 215 km/h within 78 km of the center of the storm."
Not getting any information about damage and casualties the state minister also said, "Our preparations have been made. 8,500 people have taken shelter in 37 shelters in St. Martin. Apart from this, more than 2 lakh people have taken shelter in 576 centers in Cox's Bazar, 5 lakh people have taken shelter in 1 thousand 24 shelters in Chittagong. People from Kutubdia, Maheshkhali, Sandwip, Subarnachar have also been evacuated safely."
Enamur Rahman said that it is not easy to manage millions of people during a disaster. Their management is not so easy in practical terms. We have seen before that even if the capacity is for 100 people, 200 people come for shelter. To manage their food and drink, sanitation system is not very easy." However, the state minister praised the work of the members of various forces, local public representatives and administration of Saint Martin, Teknaf and Cox's Bazar in dealing with this cyclone.