Cyclone Preparedness Programme leader missing in Patuakhali boat capsize

A leader of a local Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) went missing after a boat capsized in a canal in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali this morning under the influence of super cyclone storm Amphan.

Shah Alam (40) is the leader of CPP no. 6 unit of Dhankhali union under Kalapara upazila, said Asaduzzaman, assistant director of Kalapara CPP.

The boat carrying four CPP volunteers, including Shah Alam, sank in the Hafez Pedar canal around 8:30am after being hit by the storm, he said.

Three volunteers managed to reach the shore but Alam remains missing till filing this report 12:30pm, said Asaduzzaman.

The incident happened while they were asking people -- using loudspeaker -- to go to cyclone shelters, said the official.

On information, a team of local fire service rushed to the spot and started a rescue operation, he added. 

Meanwhile, five villages of Rangabali upazila of the district have been inundated as local embankments broke away in pre-Amphan cyclonic tidal surge, said Rangabali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mashfikur Rahman.

Besides, some areas of Galachipa upazila have flooded due to tidal surge, reports our Patuakhali correspondent.