All naval services on the Teknaf–Saint Martin’s Island route have been suspended for the past two days due to rough seas and a local warning signal no. 3 hoisted due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.
As a result, Saint Martin’s Island is now facing a shortage of food and daily essentials.
Foyez Ahmed, acting chairman of Saint Martin Union, stated, “If the warning remains in effect, the crisis may worsen. We’ve already contacted the Upazila Nirbahi Officer to arrange alternative ways of supplying food to the island.”
Meanwhile, abnormal tidal surges caused by the same low-pressure system have flooded several low-lying areas in Moheshkhali’s Matarbari and Dhalghata unions.
Tidal water entered residential areas through broken embankments, causing widespread damage.
The most affected areas include Matarbari’s Site Para, Jelle Para, Sairar Dail, and Dhalghata’s Soritala, Sapmarar Dail, and Muhurighona. More than a hundred earthen homes in these villages have been inundated. Residents fear that prolonged water exposure could lead to house collapses at any time.
Local administration and disaster management authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
File Photo
