Govt Fully Committed to Flood Relief: PM Adviser

Prime Minister's Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin on Saturday said the government is working with the highest level of commitment under the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure rescue, relief and rehabilitation for people affected by the ongoing floods across the country.

Briefing reporters at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), he said the Prime Minister has been monitoring the flood situation around the clock and coordinating the government's response through officials at both the national and local levels.

Mahdi Amin said heavy monsoon rainfall has triggered floods, landslides and waterlogging in several parts of the country, with Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban among the worst-affected districts.

He said the Prime Minister on Friday spoke with divisional commissioners, deputy inspectors general of police, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, civil surgeons and fire service officials in the five worst-hit districts, directing them to remain beside the affected people and ensure effective rescue and relief operations.

According to the PMO spokesperson, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet all divisional commissioners on Sunday to review the latest flood situation and provide further instructions.

He said a coordinated government response has already been launched, involving officials from the upazila to the national level.

Following the Prime Minister's directives, State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit is now in Chattogram overseeing relief operations, while local lawmakers and political leaders are working alongside the administration in the affected areas.

Mahdi Amin also said that, in his capacity as BNP chairman, Tarique Rahman has instructed party leaders and activists, including members of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal, to participate in rescue and relief activities, and they are already working on the ground.

The adviser said the Prime Minister has approved more than Tk 2 crore in emergency financial assistance, while rice and other relief materials are being distributed among affected families. He also noted that Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations in the flood-hit districts of Chattogram Division have been postponed.

He said the Bangladesh Coast Guard has been deployed in coastal areas, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in border regions and the Bangladesh Army where necessary. Medical teams equipped with medicines and vaccines have also been mobilised to respond to water-borne diseases and snakebite cases.

Mahdi Amin said the Local Government Engineering Department and the Roads and Highways Department have been instructed to prepare for repairing damaged roads and transport infrastructure once floodwaters recede.

He added that the government has begun assessing losses to households, farmers, fish growers and livestock owners and will launch a food-friendly programme to support affected communities.

More than 1,000 shelters are currently operating with food, safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, while efforts are underway to restore communication in areas where mobile networks have been disrupted.

"The Prime Minister has instructed us to carry out rescue, relief and rehabilitation simultaneously. During this disaster, everyone must stand united," Mahdi Amin said.

He expressed hope that the government's coordinated efforts would ease the suffering of flood victims and ensure timely assistance reaches those in need.