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Prime Minister’s Adviser and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Spokesperson Dr Mahdi Amin on Friday outlined a 10-point directive issued by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to tackle the disaster situation in the Chattogram region caused by days of incessant rainfall, flash floods and landslides.
He said the Prime Minister had taken prompt and coordinated measures to control the situation and provide support to affected people.
Mahdi Amin shared the details in a post on his verified Facebook account titled “Ten Initiatives Taken by the Prime Minister to Tackle the Disaster in the Chattogram Region.”
According to the post, the Prime Minister is personally monitoring the disaster situation round the clock, while the Prime Minister’s Office is maintaining constant communication with deputy commissioners (DCs), upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs), law enforcement agencies and other relevant authorities to coordinate relief and rescue efforts.
The Prime Minister has also directed BNP leaders and activists at all levels to rise above political considerations and actively assist flood-affected people. Local administrations, public representatives and members of parliament have been instructed to work together to assess damage and expedite rescue, relief and rehabilitation activities.
Among the key measures announced, 1,057 shelter centres have been opened across the affected districts of Chattogram Division, where more than 12,000 people have taken refuge.
Under the General Relief (GR) programme, the government has allocated Tk 2.15 crore in cash and 3,450 metric tonnes of rice for flood victims in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.
The government has also ensured the supply of safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, healthcare services, baby food and three meals a day for affected communities.
To strengthen rescue efforts in the hilly areas, the Prime Minister has directed that the army be deployed alongside law enforcement agencies whenever necessary.
Local members of parliament and public representatives have been asked to visit flood-hit areas on behalf of the Prime Minister to convey his support and remain with affected communities during the crisis.
Leaders and activists of the ruling BNP and its associate bodies have also joined relief operations, working alongside government agencies, the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and the Coast Guard.
The government has postponed the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations in affected areas because of heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides.
The Prime Minister has further instructed local administration officials, accompanied by party leaders and activists, to visit affected families, offer condolences to those who lost loved ones and ensure necessary assistance reaches them.
As part of long-term mitigation measures, the government has decided to raise the 47-kilometre Chattogram-Dohazari railway line by five feet to reduce future waterlogging. The tender process for the project has already begun.
The government also plans to provide permanent housing in safer locations for families living in landslide-prone areas.
Concluding his post, Mahdi Amin expressed optimism that the government’s swift decisions, humanitarian efforts and coordinated response would help overcome the disaster soon.
“The Prime Minister stands beside the affected people with deep compassion and responsibility during this crisis, and the people’s government remains committed to serving humanity at all times,” he wrote.
