3 fishermen die, 70 go missing due to inclement weather in Cox’s Bazar

Bodies of three fishermen have washed ashore while eight fishing trawlers carrying 70 more fishermen have gone missing due to inclement weather persisting over Cox’s Bazar for the past few days.

Delwar Hossain, general secretary of Cox’s Bazar Fishing Boat Owners’ Association, confirmed the matter today (14 September), saying, “We think these trawlers have sunk at the sea. Three bodies have washed ashore and some fishermen have swum to the coast, while 70 are still missing.”

The three bodies were recovered from Najirartek, Pechar Dwip and Kolatoli coasts, said police. 

Two of the deceased have been identified as Nurul Amin, 40, from Shekherkil area in Chattogram’s Bashkhali and Mohammad Jalal, 37, from Charamba area in the district’s Lohagara upazila. 

“The identity of the other fishermen is yet to be confirmed. Their bodies are kept in the morgue of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital,” said Dr Ashequr Rahman, resident medical officer of the hospital. 

Despite a decrease in rainfall today, at least 200 villages in Cox’s Bazar Sadar and six other upazilas are still under water.  

“210mm rainfall was recorded from 12pm on Friday till 12pm till Saturday, while 510mm rainfall, which was the highest in Cox’s Bazar’s history, was recorded from Thursday to Friday. The last time such raining happened here was in August, 2015, when 437mm rainfall was recorded,” said Abdul Hannan, assistant meteorologist at Cox’s Bazar Met Office. 

The situation in Cox’s Bazar city has  improved as the rain has stopped. Water levels have decreased in most areas that were previously affected by flooding.

“Still, eight areas like Nuniarchara were still under water. Areas like Nuniarchara are low-lying areas, and at least 10,000 people in these areas have been flooded,” said Akter Kamal, councilor of Ward No-1 of Cox’s Bazar Municipality.

Contacted, President of Cox’s Bazar Hotel Motel Guest House Owner’s Association Abul Kashem Sikder said, “Water has receded from the Hotel-Motel zone. But people are panicking whenever it is raining. The situation won’t improve unless the drains are cleared.”

According to local public representatives, at least 50,000 people in 40 villages of Ukhia have been affected by flooding. The most affected areas were Haldia Palong and Jaliapalong unions, where around 35,000 people from 30 villages are living under water.

“People from 20 villages have become helpless in flooding for the fourth time within just two months,” said Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, chairman of Haldiapalong union.

Contacted, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Ukhia Tanvir Hossain said, “The district administration has asked for help for the flood victims. Many NGOs are trying to help them out.”

The low-lying areas of Chakaria-Pekua have also been inundated. As water in the Matamuhuri River is currently near the danger level, possibility of flooding is high if raining continues. 

In Chakaria, at least 20,000 people are currently living under water, while sapling of Aman paddy and various winter vegetables have been washed away by water.

“We have ordered the union parishad chairmen to keep updates of the flooded areas. We have also asked those living under hills and beside rivers to move to safe locations. The upazila administration is always ready to help the affected people,” said Md Fakhrul Islam, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Chakaria.

Among the seven unions in Pekua, 10 areas in the Sadar union have been inundated by excessive rainfall. 

“The situation has turned dangerous due to incessant raining for three days. While at least 10 villages have been inundated, water has also entered households and business establishments,” said Kamal Hossain, chairman of Pekua’s Shilkhali Union Parishad.