Eight community radio stations in the coastal belt, have started broadcasting as protection for Cyclone Mocha (or Mokha) may hit Bangladesh’s coast as the tropical storm has been forming in the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas.

BNNRC has formed a Control Room like in previous years in Dhaka 24×7 headed by Mr. Hiren Pandit (email: hiren.bnnrc@gmail.com, hiren@bnnrc.net, Cell: +88-01726311101) for monitoring the situation, exploring information and support, and share it among the Community Radio stations in different locations.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) maintains full-time contact and coordination with the coastal community radio broadcasting stations.

Information is being provided to the community regarding preparedness for the most vulnerable group of people, crops and assets as well. The stations broadcast information about Cyclone shelters and other disaster response facilities in the locality. All the community radio has been providing weather updates since 11 May 2023.

The stations are maintaining full-time liaison with the disaster monitoring cells and disaster control room at District and Upazila levels, to get the latest update on the weather situation due to the cyclone `Mocha’. They are also keeping in contact with Red Crescent members, Scouts, and disaster volunteers at local levels.

Besides, members of Radio Listener Clubs are doing awareness-raising campaigns regarding preparedness within their community, neighbours, and relatives. Each Community radio station has deployed 2-3 expert broadcasters to be responsible for continuously communicating with Upazila and District Disaster Management Committee.

With the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Community radio stations are broadcasting special bulletin updates from Bangladesh Meteorological Department related to Cyclone `Sitrang’. Radio broadcasting will continue until the end of the emergency situation.

Community radio broadcasting stations have had active representation in information shared through radio broadcasting and mobile phone with the radio listeners club, who are representing their own locality. And broadcasting, News, and Public Service Announcements (PSA), with disaster-related issues.

The community radio stations in the coastal zone namely

Community Radio Saikat 99.0FM (Cox’s Bazar).

Community Radio Naf 99.2 (Tekhnaf, Cox’s Bazar)

Community Radio Sagargiri 99.2 (Sitakunda, Chittagong)

Community Radio Sagor Dwip 99.2 ( Hatia, Noakhali ),

Community Radio Lokobetar 99.2 (Barguna Sadar),

Community Rural Radio: Krishi Radio 98.2(Amtali, Barguna),

Community Radio Meghna 99.00 (Charfasion, Bhola Island),

Community Radio Nalta 99.2 (Kaliganj, Satkhira),

The radio stations have their preparations to keep their stations on-air for 24 hours. Generators and fuels are reserved for alternative power supply due to disruption in the notational power supply grid and hampering broadcasting.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has been maintaining full-time contact and coordination with the coastal community radio stations. The contact points for the coastal community radio stations are;

1. Ms. Anika Tasnim Taposh, Program Produce, Community Radio Saikat , (Cox’s Bazar), Phone: +88 01713367418, E-Mail: anika.radiosaikat@gmail.com

2. Mr. Sanjoy Chowdhury, Station Manager, Community Radio Sagar Giri, Sitakunda Upazila, Chittagong, Phone: +88 01825441666, E Mail: sanjoychowdhury68@yahoo.com

3. Mr. Siddiqur Hossain, Station Manager In-charge, Community Radio Naf, (Tekhnaf Upazila, Cox’s Bazar) Phone: +88 01716 53 00 58, E-Mail: siddiktk.77@gmail.com

4. Ms, Papia Sultana, Station In-charge, Community Radio Sagor Dwip, Hatia Upazila, Noakhali, Phone:+88 01721176281 E-Mail: papia3563@gmail.com

5. Md. Md Rasel, Station Manager, Community Rural Radio Krishi Radio, Amtali Upazila, Barguna, Phone: +88 01752606853, E-Mail: krishiradioais@gmail.com

6. Ms. Mowshumi Das, Assistant Station Manager(Program), Community Radio Meghna, Charfasion Upazila, Bhola Island, Phone: +88 01773 092 716 E-Mail: mosume.radiomeghna@gmail.com

7. Mr. Monir Hossain Kamal, Station Manager, Community Radio Lokobetar , Barguna Sadar, Phone: +88 01716 32 71 51 E-Mail: monirkamal@gmail.com

8. Mr. Selim Sharier, Station Manager, Community Radio Nalta, Kaliganj, Satkhira, Phone: +88 01713902783 E-Mail: selimsharier@gmail.com

Mr. Hiren Pandit, Disaster Control Room In-charge of

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), Dhaka.

Phone: +8801726311101,

hiren.bnnrc@gmail.com, hiren@bnnrc.net