The Cox’s Bazar sea port has been asked to show signal No. 10 as there is a fear of strong cyclone ‘Mocha’ intensifying further in the East Central Bay of Bengal and adjacent areas and moving towards the north and north-west. Mongla and Payra seaports have been asked to show signal number 8 and Mongla seaport has been asked to show local warning signal number 4.
Extremely strong cyclone Mocha can wreak havoc over 450 km/hour. Because, its diameter is 450 km. In this case, Mocha may hit the coast of Myanmar first. Meteorologists in India and Bangladesh reported such information.
According to a special bulletin of the Meteorological Office, super cyclone Mocha is likely to cross Cox’s Bazar-Myanmar north coast by 6 pm on Sunday (May 14). Cyclone effects may begin in the area by Saturday evening.
BTRC has instructed the telecommunication service providers to be prepared to take special measures to keep the telecommunication services functional during such emergencies. At the same time, a control room has been opened by BTRC to ensure emergency services. This room has two numbers for round the clock reception and emergency telecommunication service coordination. These are +8801552-202854 and +8801552-202886.
It has also been said to launch 333 helpline special service desk for emergency services by a2i under ICT Division.
After all, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government has made all kinds of preparations to deal with Cyclone ‘Mocha’. Mentioning that there is a danger of electrocution if the water freezes during the cyclone, the Prime Minister gave instructions to stop the electricity and gas operations at that time.
Meanwhile, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar instructed telecommunication service providers to prepare adequate power backup facilities in advance. He said that Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and all the subordinate organizations from the Department of Posts and Telecommunications have already been given the necessary preparatory instructions to deal with Cyclone Mocha.
BTRC also confirmed that all licensees concerned have been instructed to take action in this regard and a monitoring team has been formed in BTRC in this regard.
The control room of BTRC is basically coordinating the monitoring team formed in BTRC and how the licensees operating in coastal areas are working to deal with Mocha.
Apart from this, mobile operators, NTTN, ISP and other concerned licensees are taking necessary action by informing the control room if they face any problem in the operation of the coastal area.
Mobile operator Grameenphone has launched a special package to provide free telecommunication services to people in cyclone-affected areas. Grameenphone emergency contact numbers are- 01711505368, 01711081101, 01711081804.
Banglalink has announced special measures to facilitate mobile phone recharge along with small message and social media campaigns to create awareness about the cyclone situation. Banglalink emergency contact numbers are- 01962424565, 01911310795, 01962424706.
Robi customers can get emergency balance, minutes and internet by dialing *8# anytime. Robi’s hotline numbers are- 0181718368, 01819210350
To ensure the power supply of Teletalk’s core site and hub site, measures have been taken to ensure adequate fuel supply as well as commercial power supply by removing the mechanical faults of all generators. Apart from this, a response team has been formed and a control room has been set up.
Robi Emergency response team numbers are- 01550155045, 015505155034, 01550155053. Control room number-02333315900, 01555155211.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) has opened a control room to deal with Mocha. BTCL Control Room contact number is -0248317788.
Emergency contact number of tower construction company edotco is- 01871006730. Summit emergency contact numbers are -01791040385, 01711080484. Kirtankhola emergency contact number- 01401159572 (Chattagam and Cox’s Bazar) 01713479912 (Barisal). Frontier Emergency Contact Number- 01810169540, 01810169548
ISPs, NTTN and other telecom operators have taken measures to keep their networks operational in areas likely to be hit by cyclones during calamities and are constantly striving.