<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>More than eight lakh people have taken refuge in cyclone shelters as the severe cyclonic storm Remal is set to make landfall on the southern coasts of Bangladesh and parts of India by midnight today, said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibbur Rahman.</b></span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said that while talking to reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting at the secretariat in Dhaka on Sunday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">“As per the information we have, more than eight lakh people have taken shelter so far. Since great danger signals have been issued, we have asked the law enforcement agencies to bring them to shelters as soon as possible,” he said.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The state minister also requested all to take refuge in cyclone shelters without any delay. “We have prepared 8,000-9,000 shelters [in the coastal areas]. Adequate dry food, water, and medical supplies have also been sent there.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the other hand, all educational institutions have been prepared as shelters and those involved in the management of the institutions should assist people in taking refuge, he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, the government has cancelled the leave of officials and employees of all ministries, divisions, and departments along with city corporations and municipalities to tackle the aftermath of the severe cyclonic storm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been asked to hoist the Great Danger Signal No. 10 as cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ over northwest Bay and adjoining area moved northwards and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd/fas</div>