Staff Reporter:
Prime Minister’s Adviser and spokesperson at the Prime Minister’s Office Mahdi Amin has outlined 10 measures ordered by the Prime Minister to address the flood and landslide situation in the Chattogram region following days of heavy rainfall.
In a Facebook post on Friday afternoon, Amin said the Prime Minister have taken swift humanitarian and administrative steps in response to the worsening conditions caused by flash floods and landslides, which have affected thousands of families across the region.
He said the Prime Minister was personally monitoring the disaster situation and has instructed the Prime Minister’s Office to maintain regular communication with deputy commissioners, upazila nirbahi officers, law enforcement agencies and other relevant authorities to coordinate relief efforts.
According to Amin, the Prime Minister has also directed leaders and activists of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), regardless of political affiliation, to remain active on the ground and provide maximum assistance to affected communities. Local administrations, elected representatives and Members of Parliament have been instructed to work in coordination on rescue operations, damage assessment and rehabilitation.
In his post, titled “Ten Initiatives Taken by the Honourable Prime Minister to Tackle the Disaster in the Chattogram Region”, Amin listed the government’s key measures.
The initiatives are reproduced below in full:
1. The Prime Minister is personally monitoring the situation in the disaster-affected areas around the clock and receiving regular updates. The Prime Minister’s Office is also maintaining continuous communication with Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), members of the law enforcement agencies and all other relevant stakeholders, while providing necessary directives.
2. A total of 1,057 emergency shelters have so far been opened in the disaster-hit areas of Chattogram Division, where more than 12,000 people have already taken refuge.
3. Under the General Relief (GR) programme, financial assistance amounting to Tk21.5 million and 3,450 metric tonnes of rice have been swiftly distributed directly to affected people in the five districts of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.
4. Following government directives, the provision of safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, healthcare services, baby food and three daily meals has been ensured in the affected areas.
5. In view of the emergency situation, the armed forces have been deployed, where necessary, alongside law enforcement agencies to support rescue operations in the hilly regions.
6. Local Members of Parliament and elected representatives have been visiting flood-affected areas across Chattogram Division, distributing relief and conveying messages of support from the Prime Minister. They have remained on the ground around the clock, standing alongside affected residents in person.
7. The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has instructed leaders and activists at all levels, as well as all its affiliated and associate organisations, to stand beside those affected by the disaster. Party members have already begun relief efforts through both personal and organisational initiatives. At the same time, under the Prime Minister’s direct instructions, government agencies, various ministries, law enforcement bodies, the armed forces and the Coast Guard are working in coordination from the field level to the centre. Every organ of the state is standing beside the people during this crisis.
8. Due to flooding and landslides caused by heavy rainfall, Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations have been postponed in the affected areas.
9. Local administration officials, accompanied by local political leaders and activists, have visited the homes of affected families to express condolences to the relatives of those killed or injured and to ensure that necessary assistance is provided.
10. Plans have been adopted to raise the Chattogram–Dohazari railway line by five feet in order to reduce the risk of future waterlogging after sections of the route were submerged by prolonged heavy rainfall. The tender process for elevating the 47-kilometre railway line between Chattogram and Dohazari has already begun. In addition, the government will arrange safe housing for residents living in areas vulnerable to landslides.
