Bagerhat, Oct 27 (V7N) — A state-of-the-art cyclone shelter has been inaugurated in Fasiatala, Khaulia Union, Morelganj, Bagerhat, providing safe refuge for coastal communities in the event of disasters. The project, costing approximately Tk 3.5 crore, aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience in the region.

The inauguration ceremony took place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, where Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Kamrul Hasan officially opened the shelter by cutting the ribbon. The event included a welcome speech by Juliet Kya Malakar, Executive Director of CCDB, and speeches from Upazila Executive Officer Habibullah, Khaulia Union BNP President and local landowner Selim Mia, Thomar’s Monitoring Officer from Diakonia, Engineer Rahatul Arefin, and Consultant Rebecca Treger, among other officials. Guests were presented with flowers and mementos.

The modern shelter was constructed on approximately 23 decimals of land at Fasiatala, at the confluence of the Baleshwar and Panguchi rivers, under a climate change project by the private development organization CCDB, funded by the German government. The facility can accommodate over 400 people during emergencies, with special provisions for vulnerable individuals and separate arrangements for livestock.

The cyclone shelter is equipped with safe drinking water, seed storage, disaster-time health services, fire-fighting systems, a biogas system, and solar-powered electricity, ensuring comprehensive support during disasters.

Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Kamrul Hasan emphasized the importance of the shelter for riverbank communities in Morelganj. “This modern facility provides a vital refuge for local residents. The land donor is a person of great generosity, and it is our responsibility to maintain cleanliness and treat this shelter as our own,” he said.

Officials noted that the shelter will serve as a model for disaster preparedness in coastal Bangladesh, enhancing community resilience and safety in the face of cyclones and other emergencies.

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