Government is working relentlessly to face the challenge of climate change: Sheikh Hasina

News Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the current government is working tirelessly to reduce the risk of disasters and meet the challenges of weather and climate change to achieve the goals of sustainable development declared by the United Nations. The loss of life and property has been reduced to a large extent by taking early warning and early action during drought and other extreme weather conditions. He was happy to know that 'World Meteorological Day 2023' is being celebrated in Bangladesh along with the 193 member states of the World Meteorological Organization.

Referring to Bangladesh as a role model in the face of natural disasters today, Sheikh Hasina said that the 'Bangladesh Regional Weather and Climate Services Project (Component A)' is ongoing to implement 'Vision 2041' by providing better forecasts of weather and climate based on science. The implementation of the project will greatly enhance the quality of weather services. He urged everyone to always be prepared to deal with any man-made disaster or natural disaster. The Prime Minister said, We have formulated the 100-year Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100 and the Eighth Five-Year Plan with a focus on climate change and disaster mitigation. Currently, due to modern technology, natural disasters are also increasing in the world as well as man-made disasters. Toll free service has been launched on mobile number '1090' to get early warning of disaster and daily weather report. Our government has strengthened agro-meteorological research activities including setting up seven new agro-meteorological observatories to improve the quality of agro-meteorological forecasting and advisory services.

He said that five weather observatories, nine earthquake monitoring centers and weather monitoring and forecasting centers have been set up in 14 river ports to mitigate maritime accidents, he said, besides three satellite ground stations have been set up. Installation of two modern Doppler radars is in progress. Satellite telephone has been provided in 13 coastal districts of the country. These steps taken to deal with the challenges of weather and climate change are making a significant contribution to the construction of Sonar Bangla, the dream of the father of the nation. Sheikh Hasina said that about one million people died in the catastrophic cyclone that occurred in 1970. The then government of Pakistan did not give any advance warning about this disaster.

Soon after independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman installed two radars in Khepupara of Cox's Bazar and Patuakhali to provide early warning of cyclones and laid emphasis on building an institutional framework for disaster management. He adopted the 'Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP)' in 1973 for disaster risk reduction. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib built 172 high mud forts to protect people's life and property from the cyclone, which is known as 'Mujib Fort'. Public awareness will increase to reduce the risk of various natural disasters due to climate change. He wished the success of all the programs undertaken on the occasion of 'World Meteorological Day-2023'.

 

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