Bangladesh Avoids High Death Toll with Cyclone Evacuation Plan

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Tens of thousands of Bangladeshis returned Monday to wind-battered villages and rain-soaked fields after a strong storm pummeled the coast and killed at least 26 people over the weekend. Authorities had ordered about 2 million people to be evacuated from coastal areas before Cyclone Roanu hit the port city of Chittagong on Saturday, but many ignored the call after deciding the storm's winds, blowing at up to 88 kilometers (55 miles) per hour, were not such a threat. The low-lying delta nation has been regularly hit by much stronger storms. Still, tens of thousands spent the weekend in cyclone shelters. Moheshkhali island council chief Mohammed Ullah says some 100,000 islanders returned to damaged and flooded homes Monday, and many who lost their stored food supplies were struggling to find enough to eat. "They have to start anew," Ullah said. "Many are surviving on just dry food, as their homes were submerged." Local media reported at least 26 deaths caused by drowning or homes collapsing during the storm, though officials have yet to give a death toll. Ullah said islanders on Moheshkhali were now in constant fear that a 28-kilometer (17-mile) stretch of mud embankment badly damaged in the storm will collapse and allow seawater to swamp their homes and fields. Another 5,000 people in the village of Tajimuddin in Bhola district were also struggling to find enough to eat after the storm damaged their homes, according to the E...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: News Major Incidents Source Type: news