Residents of coastal areas in Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin’s Island are in constant fear as rising sea tide ravaging their homes, roads and infrastructures due to the full moon's tidal influence.
People also suffer as the salt water of the sea entering locality there, creating immense crisis of drinkable fresh water. Agricultural crops also destroyed due to the salinity.
Saint Martin’s Island, the one and only coral island of Bangladesh, also has been experiencing an increase in water levels due to the full moon's tidal influence. Recently, Saint Martin’s was hit by cyclone Mocha, which wreaked havoc and damaged numerous homes on the island.
Now, with the unfavourable weather conditions continuing, the residents are facing yet another challenge.
Dams in coastal areas are also at risk. Erosion has occurred at several points of the beach. The Marine Drive road along with the world’s longest sea beach is threatened by collapse at 10-12 places. The Water Development Board is starting work on urgent basis in Bhangan area.
The ocean is under the influence of the monsoon winds generated in the northern Bay of Bengal. Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Mongla and Payra seaports have been given three local warning signals. As the ocean swells, the full moon tide joins it. As a result, the tidal water is increasing rapidly. Local public representatives said that the embankment broke at 17 places in the coastal area of Cox's Bazar district during the noon tide on Saturday and salt water entered the locality. In particular, sea water has entered the localities in Matarbari, Dhalghata, Kutubdia North Dhurang area of Maheshkhali after breaking the embankment.
Erosion has occurred at a few places including Labani Point on the beach. Marine drive road is under threat. Going to Labani point of the beach on Saturday afternoon, one after another waves are coming to the beach. Brushes are uprooted by the waves, geobags are sinking. The road and various buildings of Baliari are being demolished. Tourists are surprised to see such adverse behavior of the sea. Mohsinul Kabir, a tourist from Dhaka's Gulshan, said, after many years, I see that Cox's Bazar beach is also breaking. This is not good news for us.
Nasima Islam, a tourist from Bagmara, Rajshahi, said, "I am enjoying as well as being afraid because of the rising sea water."
Executive Engineer of Cox's Bazar Water Development Board. Saif Ahmed of Tanjir came to visit the beach area affected by erosion at Labani Point of Cox's Bazar beach on Saturday afternoon and said that due to the full moon and the active monsoon, the tidal water is flowing at a height of 3 to 4 feet higher than normal. This has resulted in severe erosion on the beaches including the coastal areas of Cox's Bazar. He said that several areas of Kutubdia Maheshkhali have been damaged. Salt water is entering there. The executive engineer said that work will be started soon in those areas.
He said that the Water Development Board has already started working on the Cox's Bazar beach to prevent damage. In addition, the executive engineer also said that the construction of defense embankment has started in the erosion area in the coastal area.
Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer Md. Kamruzzaman said that several parts of the Cox's Bazar Teknaf Marine Drive road have been damaged. Various parts of the road are under threat. As the road was built by the army. He said that the matter has been informed to the army through the Deputy Commissioner.
President of Cox's Bazar Citizens' Forum A,N,M Helal Uddin said, Marine drive should be done keeping in mind the issue of environment.
He hoped that the patriotic army would protect the Marine Drive by relying on nature.
Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar, Md Shaheen Imran, said that due to full moon tide, the issue of Marine Drive beach and embankment breaking has been seriously reported to the concerned department. Hope the work will start very soon in this regard.