Though the government could not yet assess the total losses caused by recent cyclone Remal, the approximate amount of overall damages have been estimated at Tk 6,880 crore, according to the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.
The information was given in the inter-ministerial disaster management coordination committee meeting held on Sunday in the Ministry conference room at Secretariat with committee Chairman Md Mohibbur Rahman, also State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, in the chair.
Senior secretaries and secretaries of different ministries and divisions and the representatives of 40 ministries and division and other relevant authorities attended the meeting.
While briefing media after the meeting, State Minister Mohibbur Rahman said they are yet to receive the complete information on the damages from all ministries and divisions. Initially, the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry has prepared a draft estimate of the damages. The overall losses caused by cyclone Remal was initially estimated at Tk 6,880 crore.
But, the exact amount of losses would finally be estimated on June 9 in another meeting of the inter-ministerial disaster management coordination committee meeting. To ensure it, the secretaries and representatives of the ministries, divisions and authorities have been asked to provide necessary information of losses before the meeting, he said, adding that once the final damage report is prepared, it would be sent to the Prime Minister for further actions needed to be taken to rehabilitate the victims.
Mentioning that there was no extensive damage to government establishments in the coastal areas, the State Minister said, "The dredging that was done at the Payra Port suffered huge damage due to the siltation during the cyclone. We are working to assess the losses and resolve the problem."
There has been extensive destruction to the embankments in the coastal areas. Following the instruction of the Prime Minister after final assessment of the damage, ministry-based works will be done, he added.
Mohibbur Rahman said the fish resources in the coastal areas have been severely affected and discussion was held on how the victims could be supported.
The State Minister also said they are thinking about building sustainable embankments in the coastal and Haor regions through modern technology and they will give suggestions to the Prime Minister in this regard.
He also elaborated the governments relief and assistance programme continuing in the most affected 19 coastal districts.
