Despite persistent monsoon rain, tourist arrivals at Cox’s Bazar beach increased on Friday, driven by the weekly holiday, prompting lifeguards to urge visitors to stay out of the sea as red warning flags remain hoisted along the shoreline.
Although no maritime warning signal is currently in force, heavy rainfall since Thursday night has left the beach vulnerable to erosion and hazardous sea conditions.
Most visitors were seen entering the water at Kolatoli, Laboni and Sugandha points, the three designated bathing areas. However, the Sea Safe Lifeguard Service has advised tourists to follow all safety instructions.
According to the lifeguards, designated bathing zones have been marked with red-and-yellow flags or red flags where lifeguard services are available. They warned that entering the sea outside these marked areas could be dangerous.
Sea Safe supervisor and senior lifeguard Mohammad Osman Gani told Cox’s Bazar Life that red flags had been raised along the beach because continuous rainfall had caused beach erosion and created deep holes and channels in several places.
“Although lifeguard services are being provided, we advise tourists not to enter the sea to avoid accidents,” he said.
According to the tidal forecast, low tide was expected at 12:22 pm on Friday, while high tide was forecast to begin at 6:08 pm.
Officials warned that ignoring red flags or lifeguards’ instructions could result in serious accidents at any time, particularly under the current sea conditions.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Courtesy
