Amid the unprecedented bushfire that hits Australia killing nearly 20 people, the Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra has issued an advisory asking the expatriates to contact and support each other.
"In this unprecedented uncontrolled bushfire situation, all [members of Bangladesh community in Australia] are advised to be patient and evacuate the specific fire-affected regions if so advised by local authorities," the mission said in a Facebook post on Friday (Jan 3).
It said that residents in North Eastern Victoria and Southeastern North South Wales (NSW) are in extreme danger; state of disaster has been declared in Victoria and forceful evacuation has been started with a state of emergency in the NSW.
"Deteriorating weather pattern is forecast for tomorrow, Saturday with temperature to soar more than 42◦C with strong wind. A huge swathe of smoke and ash continues to cover the sky of Canberra. The air quality in the city is nine times more than it considers hazardous. The ACT (Australian Capital Territory) government has declared a state of alert to prepare for bushfire risk," reads the post.
Princes Highway has been reopened and people can leave the bushfire affected areas towards Sydney, it added.
Bangladeshis have been asked to contact through phone and messages as a pool of doctors in the ACT has agreed to give general advice on smoke-related health queries
The doctors are Dr Hasibul (0422253776), Dr Shatila (0469982995), Dr Syeda Tausif (0411535097), Dr Shaikh Wahab (0413161318, preferred text), Dr Mosharaf Hossain (0434727831), Dr Abul Hossain Syed (0403270277), Dr Saidul Ansary (0403110659);
Besides, the High Commission officials are available for any emergency contact at 0416285069, 0410616803, 0476025032 and [email protected].
Residents of other areas have been advised to stay alert and check the bushfire alert levels to know the risks and be prepared, and follow emergency radio broadcasters.
The mission urged the Bangladeshis living in other cities and regions to emulate different necessary initiative to help the fire-affected.
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