May 16, 2020
The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology in Nay Pyi Taw predicts that a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman sea is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm over the same on 16 May.
At the same time, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has declared a cyclone alert for the delta and coastal areas and the hilly areas where the storm might cross before its landfall.
The cyclone will be named “Cyclone Amphan”. It is very likely to move northwestwards initially till 17th and then re-curve north-northeastwards towards north Bay of Bengal during May 18 and 19. It means the cyclone is likely to cross the coast of Bangladesh and the central or northern part of the Rakhine Coast with the speed of about 100 miles per hour.
The weather bureau will issue regular updates on the situation to keep people abreast of any developments of changes in the weather pattern and people are highly advised to heed to the weather updates.
Now, local authorities in coastal and delta regions are enforcing rules and regulations for the fisherman in time of the disaster to ensure that fishermen return to coasts and not to venture into the Bay of Bengal.
Secondly, people in low-lying areas should be encouraged to move to higher ground and prepare alternative accommodation in the event of flash floods.
At this stage of the season, much of this rain will come from thunderstorms, accompanied by burst of intense heavy rains, periods of high winds and lightning. People need to be prepared for wind damage and flash floods.
People in low-lying areas should be encouraged to move to higher ground and prepare alternative accommodation in the event of flash floods.
At the same time, people in hilly areas, especially in Chin State, are urged to take be on high alert for possible landslides caused by the heavy rainfall.
In such scenarios, the need for preparedness in the event of any eventualities should be extended to all leadership structures within risk-prone areas, to minimize loss of lives and destruction of property.
Our preparations and preparedness for storms during the period of the COVID-19 crisis must take into account the quarantine facilities, along with aid for Stay-At-Home programmes, prevention and containment measures against the COVID-19 disease at internally displaced camps, and more.
To ensure that COVID-19 does not take hold and spread rapidly at the IDP camps, Stay-At-Home rules, facilities for quarantine and providing regional hospitals with medicines and special equipment are vital.
We need a solid disaster preparedness plan, resources and proper interventions to minimize loss of lives and damage to property.
GNLM
