Home minister for swift rehab in Cox's Bazar flood-hit areas 

COX'S BAZAR, July 17: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government was standing beside flood-hit people and had taken all necessary preparations to deal with the disaster, assuring affected communities that rehabilitation work would begin after damage assessments are completed.

"The government has all kinds of preparations in place to respond to the disaster. Relief efforts by both government and private organisations are continuing, and no flood-affected people will be left without support," he said while distributing relief among flood victims in Fashiakhali union of Chakaria Upazila on Friday. 

The minister, who was visiting his constituency in Cox's Bazar, said surveys were already underway in flood-affected areas across the country to assess the extent of the damage.

Once the assessments are complete, the government will undertake rehabilitation of damaged roads, embankments, educational institutions and other public infrastructure, he said.

He also said necessary assistance would be provided to farmers who suffered crop losses so they could resume cultivation and return to normal life as quickly as possible.

After the relief distribution programme, Salahuddin visited flood-damaged embankments, roads and houses in Chharakul area of Chakaria.

Officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs accompanied him during the visit, along with Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan, Chakaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer and other district and upazila administration officials.

Local BNP leaders and activists were also present.

Earlier in the day, Salahuddin arrived at Cox's Bazar Airport at around 11:15am.

He was received by Cox's Bazar district BNP President and lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury and General Secretary and lawmaker Advocate Shamim Ara Swapna, along with leaders and activists of the party and its associate organisations.

The home minister later travelled to the flood-hit areas of Chakaria, where heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers have inundated large stretches of low-lying land in recent days, damaging homes, roads, embankments and agricultural fields.