Dhaka, July 22: Natural calamities like flood and cyclone have claimed over 500,000 lives in last 40 years and damaged huge property in Bangladesh, according to its relief and disaster management minister Chowdhary Kamal Ibne Yusuf. Flood, cyclone, river erosion and tidal surge are regular phenomenon in this 'calamity-prone' country and disaster preparedness programmes should be undertaken immediately to cope with them, he said at the publication ceremony of two manuals on flood and cyclone preparedness here yesterday. Yusuf said the government was well aware of the importance of such programmes and has given utmost priority to the matter.

Bureau Report