Rooppur Unit-1 nears operation, IAEA reviews emergency preparedness

With the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant approaching the operational stage, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched an 11-day review to assess Bangladesh’s preparedness to deal with potential nuclear emergencies.

A 10-member IAEA expert team has arrived in Bangladesh and begun its Emergency Preparedness Review (EPREV) mission, which will continue until 18 November, according to officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Bangladesh Atomic Regulatory Authority (BAERA).

Led by IAEA official Mark Breitinger, the team is assessing emergency response arrangements, institutional coordination and the preparedness of government agencies responsible for managing potential nuclear incidents.

The experts have held separate meetings with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health and other government agencies involved in emergency response planning.

The team is also scheduled to visit the Rooppur plant to examine emergency preparedness arrangements at the site, BAERA officials said.

Md Anwar Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, formally inaugurated the mission at BAERA’s head office in Dhaka.

Speaking to the media, Anwar said emergency preparedness was a mandatory requirement for the operation of any nuclear power plant.

“In accordance with IAEA guidelines, we are working to build the highest safety standards for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and develop a nuclear emergency response mechanism that meets international standards,” he said.

He said the mission would help identify gaps in existing arrangements and recommend corrective measures to ensure the plant’s safe operation in line with international guidelines.

Anwar stressed that emergency preparedness required coordinated efforts involving multiple government agencies rather than a single department.

The ministries of science and technology, health and disaster management, along with other relevant agencies, needed to work together to ensure an effective response to any emergency, he said.

“We are working to establish a mechanism aligned with international guidelines to effectively protect people in any emergency situation,” Anwar added.

He also said three emergency shelters had already been established within the plant premises, with a combined capacity to accommodate up to 2,400 workers during an emergency.