Due to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, the sea has become rough, accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds. The much-anticipated tourists have not arrived, causing almost a shutdown of beachside businesses. This situation has left everyone—from photographers and jet ski operators to beach bike riders and horsemen—worried and distressed.
Because of the adverse weather, the expected tourists have not shown up.
On Thursday (29 May), a field visit revealed that despite the rough weather, horsemen Rezaul Karim, Nihal, Babu, and Al Amin brought their horses to the sandy area near Laboni Point. However, all four showed clear signs of disappointment.
Rezaul Karim said, “I bring horses to the beach every day from 8 a.m. Throughout the day, tourists ride the horses and get their photos taken, and in return, I earn between 1,000 and 1,500 taka daily. But today, though I arrived at 8 a.m. and some tourists are present, no one has ridden the horses because of the awful weather. I have not earned a single taka. I don’t know how I will go home empty-handed.”
Next to the horsemen stood beach bike operator Nazim Uddin. He said, “I haven’t earned a single taka today. The high sea level has submerged the sandy area where beach bikes normally operate. I am still sitting empty-handed.”
Walking further along the shore, we met puffed rice (Jhal muri) vendors, Md. Nazrul Islam and Md. Sabuj. They reported arriving at 8:30 a.m., but by 12:30 p.m., they had not sold a single packet.
Others, including jet ski operators, photographers, chotpoti vendors, and shell and snail sellers, face the same hardship. Md. Gafur, a photographer at Laboni Point, said, “Usually, by noon I would earn 1,000 taka by taking photos of tourists on the beach. But today, I couldn’t even start taking pictures. Around 30 photographers at this point are in the same situation.”
Jet skis have been pulled out of the water. Jet ski operator Forman said, “Due to giant waves, jet skis have been brought ashore. The business has essentially ceased operations. Kitkat boat operator Rana stated, “We have removed hundreds of Kitkats from Baluchar to Sugandha and Shaibal points.” We are now sitting safely, with business stopped.”
Meanwhile, the rough weather has forced the closure of shops selling shells and snails. Business owners say that the strong wind and rain have forced them to close their shops.
Chotpoti shop owners on the beach are in the same predicament. Hriday, director of Anand Chotpoti, said, “We have closed the shop because the sand is blowing around, and it’s impossible to keep the shop open in this weather.”
Thousands of shops line the Laboni, Sugandha, and Kolatoli points of Cox’s Bazar sea beach, but the bad weather has brought nearly all business to a halt.
Contributor: Tareque Hasan
Photo: Abdur Rashid Manik
