Rough tides and surging waves have caused fresh erosion along multiple points of the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive road. Severe damage has been reported in the Sabrang Zero Point, Shahparir Dwip, and Maheshkhali Para boat terminal areas, where sections of the road are crumbling into the sea.
In the span of just two days—Thursday and Friday—waves swallowed approximately 100 to 150 feet of the road’s western edge near Sabrang Zero Point. Despite the presence of geo-tube embankments, they have failed to hold back the force of the sea. As a result, saline water is now entering farmland during high tides, causing damage to crops.
Previously, on May 30, intense erosion occurred at Baharchhara’s Shilkhali and Teknaf’s Mundar Deil due to a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal. Though emergency repairs were carried out by local authorities and the Roads and Highways Department, new sections have now begun to erode.
“We’ve conducted a field visit following the reports of fresh erosion,” said Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, UNO of Teknaf. “The Roads and Highways Department has been officially notified, and emergency protection works will begin shortly.”
Mohammad Selim, a member of Ward No. 1 of Sabrang Union Parishad, stated that local residents had sent him photos of the damaged areas earlier in the day.
“I immediately reported the matter to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO),” Selim said.
Meanwhile, Abdul Hannan, assistant meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar regional office, said the sea remains rough near the low-pressure centre.
“Due to the combined effect of the new moon and the low-pressure system, coastal areas including Cox’s Bazar may experience wind-driven tidal surges of 1 to 3 feet above normal,” he warned.
Hannan added that sea levels have already risen significantly, and wave heights have increased in strength and frequency.
Earlier, a similar incident occurred in August 2023 during full moon tides, prompting the Bangladesh Army’s Engineering Corps to reinforce the stretch with long geo-bag embankments.
By Tareque Hasan and Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Courtesy
