Thousands of tourists thronged Cox’s Bazar beach on Saturday evening, enjoying the unique charm of cloudy skies, cool sea breezes, and the sound of crashing waves.
A visit to the Kolatoli, Sugandha, and Laboni beach points around 6:30 pm showed large crowds of visitors gathering along the shoreline, making the world’s longest natural sea beach vibrant and lively despite the overcast weather.
The sky remained cloudy throughout the day in Cox’s Bazar. Heavy rain lashed the district in the morning and continued until around 10:30 am. Although the rain later subsided, the sun remained hidden behind thick clouds for the rest of the day.
The cool, pleasant weather seemed to enhance the beach’s appeal, prompting thousands of tourists to head to the seaside from the afternoon onward.
Saiful Islam, a tourist from Mirpur in Dhaka, said that enjoying the beach under cloudy skies was far more comfortable than walking along the shore in intense heat.
‘Today’s weather has made our trip even more enjoyable,’ he said.
Nusrat Jahan, who travelled from Rajshahi with her family, said that the morning rain had initially raised concerns about visiting the beach.
‘But the weather improved significantly in the afternoon,’ she said. The cloudy sky and the view of the sea are truly beautiful,’ she said.
Mahmudul Hasan, a university student visiting from Chattogram with friends, said the pleasant weather allowed visitors to spend extended periods on the beach without discomfort from the sun.
‘Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves,’ he added.
Local residents also spent time with family and friends, as did tourists. Some enjoyed swimming in the sea, while others took photographs on the sandy shore or simply admired the scenic surroundings.
Members of Sea Safe Lifeguard Service remained on duty throughout the day to ensure visitors’ safety. Lifeguards were stationed at the Kolatoli, Sugandha and Laboni points and were seen monitoring beach activities closely.
Senior lifeguard Mohammad Osman said that weather conditions had improved significantly after the morning rain.
“The number of visitors increased sharply in the afternoon. We are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of tourists and are consistently making announcements to keep people away from hazardous areas,” he added.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was also in Cox’s Bazar on a 12-hour official visit on Saturday. However, his visit had no visible impact on tourist movement, and activities in the beach areas remained normal and uninterrupted.
Tourism stakeholders said the comfortable monsoon weather had added a new dimension to tourism in Cox’s Bazar. They expressed optimism that visitor numbers would continue to rise in the coming days if favourable weather conditions persist.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
