Local administration. In addition, a strong wind has started blowing on the island since morning. As a result, trawler owners have brought the fishing boats on the island safely to Teknaf.
In this regard, Rashid Ahmed, president of the Teknaf-Serntmatin route service boat, said, "Due to adverse weather conditions, boat traffic on this route has been suspended for the last three years to avoid accidents. This has led to a shortage of daily necessities on the island. In addition, the island was already going through a difficult time as people were unemployed. On top of that, the islanders have been facing further hardship due to the adverse weather conditions."
He said, "It has started raining on the island with strong winds since morning. Due to this, we have brought the fishing trawlers safely to Teknaf. If this continues, the condition of the island will be very miserable."
Ayat Ullah, a resident of St. Martin, said, "The people of St. Martin were already in crisis. On top of that, boat traffic has been closed for three days due to adverse weather conditions. This has kept people indoors. All daily necessities in the market are running out. If food trawlers do not arrive, the people of the island will have to starve."
Meanwhile, the sea is rough due to the low pressure formed in the Bay of Bengal. This has increased the water level. Due to the effect of the low pressure, rain and gusty winds may blow in various coastal areas of Cox's Bazar. The Meteorological Department said that gusty winds and rain have started in various areas of the coast since Wednesday morning. In this situation, local warning signal number three has been asked to be displayed at four seaports of the country, including Cox's Bazar.
On the other hand, due to the rising water level, the embankment on the banks of the Naf River in Jaliapara, Shahparir Island on the Teknaf border is breaking due to the impact of the tide. This is causing panic among the residents there.
Mohammad Alam, a resident of Jalia Para on Shahparir Island, said, "The wind has started blowing hard since morning. In addition, as the water level of the Naf River has increased, the embankment on the shore is breaking due to the impact of waves. This puts more than fifty people living there at risk."
In this regard, St. Martin UP (Acting) Chairman Faizul Islam said, "For the past three years, boat traffic has been stopped between Teknaf and St. Martin. This has led to a shortage of daily necessities for the people of the island. In addition, the people of the island are going through a very bad time. On top of that, stormy winds have started since the morning. This has increased the sea water level."
Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said, "Due to adverse weather conditions, all types of passenger trawlers and boats have been stopped from Teknaf and Saint Martin. However, assistance has been sent to the island for about 2,500 people, including fishermen. Even then, we are keeping a regular check. Boat traffic will resume when the adverse weather conditions normalize. In addition, those concerned have been informed about the erosion on the banks of the Nafer on Shahparir Island."
