By IANS
Dhaka : Over a million people in Bangladesh’s southern coasts returned home after a dreadful overnight stay at cyclone shelters and wherever else they could find high ground after authorities lifted a tsunami warning in the early hours of Thursday.
“Some people started leaving the shelters before dawn after hearing the announcement of withdrawal of tsunami warning,” regional director of Red Crescent Salauddin Chowdhury was quoted as saying.
Applauding the timely alert and preparedness of government agencies as well as international organisations, The Daily Star newspaper called for greater regional cooperation among those likely to be affected by the tsunami.
“While we are relieved that the feared tsunami did not materialise along our coastal region, we feel it is time for renewed emphasis to be placed on the development of scientific systems that will help us deal with future eventualities,” it said in an editorial.
“The earthquakes in Indonesia only serve to remind us that Bangladesh too straddles an earthquake region, which makes early warning systems that much more significant,” the newspaper said.
A 7.9 earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Sumatra island Wednesday, triggering fears of a tsunami and leading to alerts being issued in India as well.