Staff Reporter 

In the wake of the devastating Cyclone Remal, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has called upon party leaders, workers, and public representatives to provide immediate assistance to those affected. 

The cyclone, which struck the coastal regions of Bangladesh, has resulted in several fatalities and widespread infrastructural damage.

"Several deaths due to Cyclone Remal are reported, and tidal surges have affected the coastal areas severely. Homesteads and other infrastructure have been widely damaged," Quader announced at a press conference held at the Awami League President’s political office in Dhanmondi.

The government is actively distributing dry food and drinking water to the affected populations, and efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the damage. "Our divisional teams will provide assistance to the affected areas," Quader assured.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s advancements in disaster management under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, Quader stated that the country has developed robust capabilities to handle such crises over the past 15 years. "Bangladesh has played a pivotal role in disaster management," he added, crediting the proactive measures taken by the government.

Despite these efforts, Cyclone Remal has claimed at least 10 lives in the coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Barishal, Patuakhali, Bhola, and Chattogram. Many regions have experienced severe flooding due to the accompanying tidal surge. State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohibbur Rahman confirmed these details during a briefing at the Secretariat on Monday afternoon.

In his media briefing, Quader took the opportunity to criticize the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), accusing them of inaction during times of national crisis. "BNP doesn’t stand beside the countrymen during any disaster. They only do photo sessions," he remarked.

Quader contrasted the Awami League's active role during Ramadan, where they distributed Iftar items among distressed populations, with the BNP’s approach. "BNP organized the ‘Iftar party,’ but did not play any political role as the opposition party," he noted.

The press conference saw the presence of several high-ranking Awami League officials, including Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretaries BM Mozammel Haque, Mirza Azam, SM Kamal Hossain, and Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua, Publicity Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap, Relief Secretary Aminul Islam, Deputy Publicity Secretary Syed Abdul Awal Shamim, and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan.