Prognosis
Millions Face Virus Contagion Risk in Cyclone-Hit South Asia
- Maintaining social distancing rule big challenge for officials
- Modi Announces 10-billion rupee assistance for West Bengal
Photographer: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP via Getty Images
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As the biggest cyclone to hit South Asia in two decades loomed over the Bay of Bengal, emergency relief officials realized they were facing a nightmare: They needed to evacuate more than 5 million people to safety at the risk of spreading Covid-19.
Right after the weather office elevated the cyclone warning to the maximum on Wednesday, Najmul Alam, a government official in Bangladesh, had the onerous task of evacuating hundreds to storm shelters while at the same time attempting to keep social distancing rules in place. He’s one of many that struggled with the same problem.