‘Don’t panic, Chasik is always by your side’

S, D, Life:

Commenting that the city corporation is ready to provide services day and night to deal with the crisis, Chittagong city corporation mayor Bir Muktijoddha Alhaj Mohammad advised the city dwellers to keep their morale strong without fear. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
In a statement to the media, the mayor said, “We are going through a time of crisis and catastrophe.” On the one hand, the rate of infection of Kovid 19 is continuously increasing, on the other hand, heavy rains continue due to low pressure and monsoon winds. As a result, we have to deal with disasters such as landslides, landslides and heavy rains and tidal surges. Moreover, for the past century, the rainy season has been battling deadly viruses such as Aedes mosquito-borne dengue and chicken pox. This year is no exception. Chittagong City Corporation is conducting special activities in this regard by taking all kinds of precautions.

Thank God, there has not been such an outbreak of dengue in Chittagong yet. Nevertheless, the City Corporation is carrying out cleaning activities with special importance including spraying drugs in the wards. We request the city dwellers to keep the roof, balcony, courtyard and surroundings of their houses clean and tidy and if necessary, they should contact the ward office of the city corporation and cooperate in this matter.

Heavy rains have already caused landslides in the city. By the grace of God, no one was injured in these incidents. Successful evacuation of 500 people from various high-risk hills has made it possible to avoid casualties. Thanks to the sincerity of the district administration in this regard. I have asked those concerned to take immediate action to remove those who are still at risk on the slopes or at the foot of the hill. Four or five days of continuous rains have caused waterlogging in different parts of the city. Water has not yet receded from many areas.
The dams provided by the CDA for the mega project to alleviate waterlogging are in a very bad condition. Although the CCC was supposed to allocate Tk 100 crore for the maintenance of the canal in a mega project worth Tk 6,500 crore being implemented by the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) to alleviate water logging, it has not been given yet. Yet our work does not stop. A very narrow space has been set aside along the Chaktai canal with dams in the city’s canals for water circulation. The water is flowing very slowly in this way, so this time there is more waterlogging than usual. The cleaning department of the city corporation is working with the project implementers to remove the polythene and garbage that has accumulated in the canals and drains, bridges, culverts, gas and WASA pipes and accumulated at various bends. Besides, the cleaning staff of the corporation is working round the clock to remove the obstruction in all the small and big drains and drains where the flow of water is being obstructed. Since the mega project is going on, we are not able to work in all the canals even if we want to. ”

So this time the suffering is more than usual. If we civil society are aware, we can reduce the presence of polythene and waste in canals. In this we the citizens can get the benefits. City Chittagong City Corporation was ready from the beginning to deal with Kovid. The corporation has set up an isolation center on the banks of Laldighi at the beginning of the second phase of the transition. Patients admitted there with primary symptoms are getting free regular treatment. Security booths have been opened at important points in each ward. From those booths, everyone can collect free masks, sanitizers and other protective items. The corporation has also set up booths at various points to collect free samples for corona testing. The biggest thing is that Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already ensured that every citizen and people of the country get protection and get vaccinated. He directed to start vaccination program in all wards and unions from the 8th of next month to all those aged 18 years and above. I would like to mention here that the participation of a conscious section of the citizens in resolving the crisis has given us hope and inspiration. Many have come to volunteer to prevent Kovid-19 and dengue. They have joined hands with the corporation in such a great work to prevent Kovid-19 and dengue and have formed a team of Urban Community Volunteers to play a volunteer role in any disaster. This initiative is a shining example of humanity and awareness. Besides, many leaders and activists of Awami League, Juba League, Swechchhasebak League and Chhatra League are working with full vigor to provide patient care and food assistance through individual and group initiatives. Thanks to all of them on behalf of the corporation.
An eight-member committee of the corporation is overseeing the activities of these volunteers in the light of the National Disaster Management Policy. In each ward, 25 volunteer members have been added under the leadership of 2 trained volunteers. They are able to work in any part of the country to deal with national disasters. This time, just as the Eid-ul-Adha has shown the success of Chasik in cleaning up the waste, I believe that the Chasik volunteer team will also be able to show success in disasters like Corona and Dengue. We want to prove that Chittagong has always been, is and will continue to be a pioneer in fulfilling any important national responsibility, including dealing with any disaster. ‘Be aware, follow hygiene rules and stay healthy.