Cyclone passes with relief
We breathe a sigh of relief that the main strength of Komen did not make landfall on Bangladesh soil. That coupled with effective cyclone preparedness by authorities and volunteers helped avert major loss of life in the coastal belt. Yet the incessant rain and rise of water levels due to the influence of Komen cyclone have resulted in severe damage to crops and shrimp cultivation in the coastal belt. Going by what has been reported in print media, Chittagong division has suffered overflowing of waters along flood prevention embankments. This has adversely affected internal river transportation networks and marooned thousands in different areas.
Some 50 villages in Teknaf, Moheshkhali, Kutubdia, Pekua and Chakoria upazilas of Cox's Bazar and 10 in Nohakhali's Hatiya were flooded after several thousand metres of flood protection embankments there were washed away due to high tide and rainfall. We are informed by officials that some 60,000 people are affected in Pekua alone. As the weather situation improves the full impact of Cyclone Komen can be assessed for damages on man and material.
The major challenges, once the rains have receded, will be to get essential food commodities and medical aid to the affected pockets of stranded communities in various areas. Farmers, particularly the export-oriented shrimp cultivators, will require cash incentives to recuperate their losses. Needless to say, beyond loss of livelihoods, we are looking at the loss of habitat for thousands of people and authorities should be prepared for their earliest rehabilitation.
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