All hotels, motels and resorts in St. Martin declared shelters

Saint Martin Island

Cox's Bazar, May 12 – All hotels, motels and resorts in Saint Martin Island have been declared as shelters by local administration of the coastal district of Cox’s Bazar as cyclone ‘Mocha’ has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining area and likely to further intensify in coming hours.

Meanwhile, residents of Saint Martin Island started leaving the island by trawler to Teknaf. As of Thursday and Friday afternoon, close to 1,500 people from 200 families had reportedly left the island.

Cyclone Mocha is moving towards Cox's Bazar being stronger. According to the Meteorological Department, the cyclone will pass over the coast of Myanmar and sorrounding areas including St. Martin's Island in Teknaf.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Kamruzzaman said, “All hotels, motels and resorts of Saint Martin Island have been declared as shelters. However, the exact number of people who have left the island for Teknaf is not confirmed yet.”

“There is no reason to panic. Seventeen shelters have been kept ready on the island. Navy, Coast Guard, BGB, police, public representatives and volunteers are working together in these shelters,” the officer added.

On the other hand Saint Martin Union Parishad Chairman Mujibur Rahman said, “Residents of Saint Martin have become frightened as there are not enough shelters in this island. No sustainable embankments around the island, no food warehouse, medical care, sea ambulance here.”

The Met Office also has no operations here, he added.

However, Cox’s Bazar coastal areas are undergoing adverse weather conditions due to the influence of the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha. Sky of the area was cloudy since Friday morning which turned into rain at around 2 pm.

Abdur Rahman, an official of the local meteorological office, said, “There may be heavy rains due to very severe cyclone Mocha. The velocity of the wind will increase. As a result, Rohingya camps and settlements in hill areas in Cox's Bazar will be at risk.”

He also said that there has been no major natural disaster in Cox's Bazar in the last 15 years except Sidr. This time, the damage is likely to increase as Mocha is heading towards Cox's Bazar.

Considering the impact of Mocha, it is important to keep a careful eye on the hills and Rohingya camps in advance, the official said.

Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shaheen Imran said that all preparations have been made by Cox's bazar district administration ahead of the landfall of the cyclonic storm Mocha.

“Control rooms have been set up in all upazilas. At least 576 shelters, including cyclone shelters and schools, have been kept ready in the coastal areas of the district. Tk 10.3 lakh in cash, 490 metric tonnes of rice, 7 metric tonnes of dry food and 194 bundles of corrugated tin have been stocked,” the official said.

Mentioning that there is no reason to panic, the Deputy Commissioner said, “We are always vigilant for the safety of the people of the island region.”- UNB