Disaster Preparedness Drill Held Along the Padma River in Shibchar

Photo: CNI

Madaripur Correspondent: A community-based disaster preparedness drill titled "The Struggle for Survival on the Banks of the Padma" was held in Shibchar, Madaripur, as part of a forecast-based flood preparedness and early response program for communities living in the Padma River basin.

The field exercise took place on Tuesday (7 July) in Kathalbari Union, organized by the Union Disaster Management Committee.

According to organizers, the drill was conducted with support from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and implemented by the Shariatpur Development Society (SDS). The program featured practical demonstrations on flood preparedness and emergency response, including flood forecasting and warning systems, flood shelters, safe water and sanitation facilities, livestock shelters, emergency healthcare services, and complaint and information support centers. Public awareness booths and a meeting of the Union Disaster Management Committee were also held as part of the event.

Speakers at the program emphasized that the risk of flooding is increasing due to the impacts of climate change. They stressed the importance of raising public awareness, ensuring the timely dissemination of early warning messages, and strengthening coordinated preparedness at the local level before disasters occur. They noted that regular simulation exercises such as this enhance community resilience and help reduce the loss of lives, livelihoods, and property during disasters.

Among those present were Shibchar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kamal Hossain, Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer Md. Rakibul Islam, Shibchar Fire Service Officer-in-Charge Tapan Kumar Ghosh, WFP Khulna Regional Programme Associate Tasnim Tabassum, Project Coordinator Mahfuzul Haque (SRSP), and Acting Chairman of Kathalbari Union Said Ahmed Sayed Bepari.

The program, inspired by a story by Mahfuz Alam, was hosted by Md. Saiful Islam. The performance was presented by Aditi Shilpigosthi, with the script and direction by Monoj Mondal. Officials and staff of SDS, local elected representatives, and prominent community members also participated in the event.