Eight Community radio stations in the coastal belt, have started emergency broadcasting, as extremely severe cyclonic storm` Sitrang’ formed over the east-central Bay with heavy rains and gusty wind.
Information is being provided to the community regarding preparedness for the most vulnerable group of people and assets as well. The stations broadcast information about Cyclone shelters and other disaster response facilities in the locality. All the community radio had been providing weather updates since 23 October 2022.
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 `Sitrang’. They are also keeping contact with Red Crescent members, Scouts, and disaster volunteers at local levels. Besides, the members of Radio Listener Clubs are doing awareness-raising campaigns regarding preparedness within their community, neighbors, and relatives. Each Community radio station has deployed 2-3 consistent broadcasters to be responsible to 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 in every 15 minutes from Bangladesh Meteorological Department related to Cyclone `Sitrang’. The radio broadcasting will continue till the end of the emergency situation.
The community radio 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, Public Service Announcements (PSA), Interviews with the community, Local government representatives, and disaster management committees, with disaster-related issues.
The community radio stations at the coastal zone namely Community Radio Nalta 99.2 (Kaliganj, Satkhira), 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 Sagor Dwip 99.2 (Hatia, Noakhali), Community Radio Naf 99.2 (Tekhnaf, Cox’s Bazar) and Community Radio Sagargiri 99.2 (Sitakunda, Chittagong), and Community Radio Saikat 99.0FM (Cox’s Bazar) . The radio stations have their preparation 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 hamper the broadcasting.
Mr. Selim Sharier, Station Manager, Community Radio Nalta, Kaliganj, Satkhira,Phone: +88 01713902783 E-Mail: selimsharier@gmail.com
Mr. Monir Hossain Kamal, Station Manager, Community Radio Lokobetar , Barguna Sadar, Phone: +88 01716 32 71 51 E-Mail: monirkamal@gmail.com
Md. Abu Zafar Md.Elias, Radio Focal person, Community Rural Radio Krishi Radio, Amtali Upazila, Barguna, Phone: +8801745379157, E-Mail: eliaspstu@gmail.com
Ms. Nishi Begum, Assistant Station Manager, Community Radio Meghna, Charfasion Upazila, Bhola Island, Phone: +8801780324693 E-Mail: nishi.radiomeghna@gmail.com
Ms, Papia Sultana, Station In-charge, Community Radio Sagor Dwip, Hatia Upazila, Noakhali, Phone:+88 01721176281 E-Mail: papia3563@gmail.com
Ms. Mohsena Aktar Mina, Senior Program Producer, Community Radio Sagar Giri, Sitakunda Upazila, Chittagong, Phone: +88 01849266558 E-Mail: aktar.mohsena@yahoo.com
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
Ms. Gulfan Ara Hury Coordinator, Community Radio Saikat , (Cox’s Bazar), Phone: +88 01713328846, E-Mail: hury.coast@gmail.com
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is maintaining full-time contact and coordination with the coastal community radio stations. The contact points for the coastal community radio stations-BNNRC Control Room-Hiren Pandit-01726311101 | bnnrcbd@gmail.com | www.bnnrc.net