Water for cyclone victims
Water in the cyclone affected areas has been contaminated by saline sea water. There is hardly any source of drinking water. This problem can be solved if barges are converted into floating water storage tanks in the affected areas and water is transported to these water storage tanks by using the fresh water supply barges/vessels belonging to Chittagong and Mongla ports that supply fresh water to the ships calling at the ports. Small tankers preferably those that have coated (painted ) tanks could be thoroughly cleaned and be used to transport fresh water to these areas. Water carried by the tankers should not be used for drinking but could be used for all other purposes. If these measures are taken on an emergency basis by the disaster management ministry it will be of immense benefit to the cyclone affected people.
For future there should be a selected number of shallow draft tankers with coated tanks that can easily be cleaned and made fit to carry potable water to meet any eventuality such as the present cyclone. Small floating water storage tanks may also be built and kept semi-permanently in the affected areas.
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