The sea has remained rough for a week due to continuous rainfall, and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has instructed four seaports, including Cox’s Bazar, to maintain local cautionary signal number three. This has caused disruptions for tourists visiting the world’s longest sea beach.
Conversations with tourists and hotel operators on Tuesday, July 9, revealed that nearly 90 percent of rooms in hotels, motels, resorts, and guesthouses had been booked in advance. However, due to relentless rain and rough seas, many tourists have cancelled their bookings.
Meanwhile, the Tourist Police have been cautioning visitors against entering the rough sea and have marked dangerous zones with red flags. Officers are on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents involving tourists.
The continuous rain has also caused flooding in the tourist areas of Cox’s Bazar and low-lying parts of its nine upazilas. Roads have gone underwater, disrupting traffic, while waterlogging has also been reported in Rohingya refugee camps in Ukhiya upazila.
According to the weather forecast, heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue in Cox’s Bazar until July 11, increasing the risk of landslides in the hilly regions.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
