Tropical Storm Sitrang: 24 dead as cyclone hits Bangladesh


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At least 24 people are dead after Tropical Storm Sitrang lashed Bangladesh, leaving millions without power, officials said on Tuesday.

Thousands of homes were damaged and more than 6,000 hectares of crops were destroyed, the government said.

Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated to cyclone shelters as about 20,000 were marooned because of flooding triggered by tidal surges in the southern coastal district of Bhola, the United News of Bangladesh news agency said. Thousands of fishing projects were washed away.

The storm brewed in the Bay of Bengal on Monday before turning north towards Bangladesh. Heavy rain battered the country throughout the day, flooding many costal areas across southern and south-western Bangladesh.

The storm weakened on Tuesday afternoon, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 65 kilometres per hour and wind gusts up to 85kph.

The weather office in capital Dhaka, which had recorded winds up to 88kph on Monday evening, said the danger had passed.

Minhazur Rahman, a government official in Mirsharai in Chattogram, said divers recovered eight bodies on Tuesday after a dredger capsized in the Bay of Bengal on Monday night. The sea remained rough on Tuesday, he said.

Raihan Mehbub, an official in Cumilla district, said two parents and their daughter, 4, died after a tree fell on their home while they were sleeping on Monday night.

People try to salvage their belongings after Tropical Storm Sitrang lashed the Bay of Bengal coast in Bhola district, Bangladesh, on Tuesday. AP
People try to salvage their belongings after Tropical Storm Sitrang lashed the Bay of Bengal coast in Bhola district, Bangladesh, on Tuesday. AP

At least 13 others died in separate incidents across the country, Dhaka-based Somoy TV reported. Most died after being hit by falling trees, though others died because of collapsing structures or drowning, local media reported.

Nasrul Hamid, junior minister for power and mineral resources, said about 8 million out of a total of 48 million users remained without electricity after falling trees damaged distribution lines or electric poles were knocked over, mostly in rural areas.

He said power distribution across the country would not be back to normal until Wednesday.

Enamur Rahman, junior minister for disaster management and relief, said about 10,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.

Authorities reopened three airports on Tuesday after suspending their operations for 21 hours.

People walk past fallen trees after the passing of Cyclone Sitrang in Dhaka on Tuesday. EPA
People walk past fallen trees after the passing of Cyclone Sitrang in Dhaka on Tuesday. EPA

On Monday, the government halted operations of all river vessels and asked fishing boats to return from the deep sea and remain anchored in the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladesh is a delta nation of more than 160 million and is prone to natural disasters such as floods and cyclones.

Climate scientists say climate change is a factor behind many natural disasters in Bangladesh and other South Asian nations.

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Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.

1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.

2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information. 

3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.

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• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.

JAPAN SQUAD

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Label: Warner Records

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Primera Liga fixtures (all times UAE: 4 GMT)

Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Barcelona (8.15pm)
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid (12.15am)
Sunday
Espanyol v Leganes (8.15pm)
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Getafe v Sevilla (10.15pm)
Real Madrid v Valencia (10.15pm)

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1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14

2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11

3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5

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Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am

Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm

Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm

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(Yale University Press)

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In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.  

 

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Updated: October 25, 2022, 2:53 PM