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Bangladesh: Cyclone 2007 SitRep No. 20 Dhaka, 11:30hrs, 16 November 2007 (www.nirapad.org)
INITIAL REPORT!!! Cyclone SIDR Kills Hundreds in Barisal and Khulna Division SNAPSHOT
• Hundreds of people killed in Barguna, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Bagerhat and Khulna • Road communication snapped due to blockade by the uprooted trees in many areas • Power supply through out the country stay disconnected • Telephone network in many areas disrupted • Numerous bovine animals killed, thousands of tress uprooted • Standing crops of vast tracts of land damaged badly • Some 128 people killed in Barguna • People are badly in immediate need of dry food, makeshift shelter and medicine
CURRENT SITUATION The super cyclone SIDR swept over the South and Southwest Bangladesh coast yesterday leaving a trail of destruction in lives and properties.
Due to disruptions in communication networks, it was not possible to know the exact damage scenarios immediately. However, unconfirmed sources said, over 1000 of people were killed and many more still missing in the ravaged upazilas of Patuakhali, Barguna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur and Khulna districts.
Information said some 128 people killed in Barguna and many more still remain missing in these districtsdue to cyclone and associated tidal surges.
Besides, thousands of housing units were destroyed, numerous trees were uprooted and standing crops (mainly T-aman) of vast tracts of lands have completely destroyed. Power supply and telephone network stay disconnected in many areas.
The fury of SIDR, which was measured stronger than 1991 mega cyclone that killed 140,000 people, started around 5:30pm yesterday and continued through the night.
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HUMAN CAUSALITY AT A GLANCE SL District Upazila # of Death # of people missing No. 1. Barguna Amtali 77 Patharghata 18 Kalapara 20 Barguna Sadar 13
2. Patuakhali Galachipa 15 Unconfirmed sources said the figure will be far high 3. Pirojpur Zia Nagar 4 Mothbaria 4 4. Bagerhat Sharankhola 400-500 Dakop 2 Paikgacha 1 Morelganj 19 Kochua 7 Chitalmari 11 Sadar 1 Mollahat 1 Note: This matrix was prepared based on information received from different sources
DISTRICT-WISE SCENERIO: Barguna: According to a local NGO SSDP, at least 128 people were killed in Barguna of which 77 at Amtali, 18 at Pathatghata, 20 at Kalapara and 13 at Barguna Sadar. Many people remain missing. Over 20000 people have taken refuge in the shelters. Affected people are in need of dry food, medicine and makeshift shelter. 60-70% standing crops were badly damaged. Road communication between district HQ with the upazilas disconnected as uprooted trees made the road blockade. Most of the houses & trees were damaged. Low-lying areas were inundated by abnormal surge.
Patuakhali: According to Codec, a member of NIRAPAD, many people might killed in the offshore islands i.e., Charmontaz, Charkajal, Rangabali under Galachipa of Patuakhali district. NETWORK FOR INFORMATION, RESPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES ON DISASTER -NIRAPAD Figure 1: Cyclone track by TSR
Bhola: The low-lying area and offshore islands of Charfession, Tazumuddin have been inundated by 3-4 feet tidal surge. The embankment in those chars were damaged.
Bagerhat: According to PRODIPAN, and RIC members of NIRAPAD; Sarankhola Upazila is worst affected. Other affected upazilas are Morelgonj, Mongla, Rampal, Kachua and Chitalmari Upazilas of Bagerhat district are affected. At least 43 people were killed in this districts. One source claims the figure will be 400-500 only at Sharankhola. Over 30-40% housing units were damaged and numerous trees were uprooted. Embankments have been breached at different places (BaraiKhali of Koira Upazila, Nalian of Dacop Upazila and Morrelgonj Upazila).
Khulna: Dacop, Paikgacha, Koira, Terokhada, Dumuria Upazilas under Khulna district have been affected. Fish enclosures were washed out in many places. The electricity in those areas are totally disconnected and telephone communication is also disrupted. Road communication to these Upazilas is disrupted due to uprooted trees on the road. Standing crops (Aman paddy) is damaged due to strong wind, fish enclosures are badly damaged due to inundation arising from tidal surge. NIRAPAD member PRODIPAN, RIC and SGS have sent out teams to the affected Upazilas for undertaking detail assessments with their own capacities.
Pirojpur: RIC, a member of NIRAPAD, informed at least 18 people were killed in Mothgbaria and Zianagar Upazila in this district
People were also killed in other districts due to cyclonic storm.
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INFORMATION SOURCE: 1. NIRAPAD’s Member Organizations, RIC, CARE, CoDEC, DUS, PRODIPAN 2. Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) 3. SPARRSO 4. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) 5. Websites 6. Media reports
Govt. control room: Govt. has opened up a central emergency control room at the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management. Phone numbers are: 7160454, 7162116