Stranded people in St Martin’s demand relocation

Several thousand locals and tourists stuck at St Martin's Island have asked the government to arrange ships and relocate the people who are at risk of high tide during Cyclone Mocha.

Many of the local residents who live in tin-shed houses have taken shelter in two- and three-storey resorts and hotels.

Several hundred people left the island on Thursday on trawlers, fishing boats and speedboats for Teknaf and Shah Porir Dwip due to lack of ship services.

The district administration has taken different measures based on primary inspection. More than 10,000 workers from various organizations have been kept on alert for evacuation and post-disaster rescue operations.

According to Cox's Bazar district administration, there are over 100 concrete structures on the Island.

“But these buildings are not adequate to give shelter to 3,000-4,000 people stranded on the island,” said Aditto Akash, manager of Jalkabbo Resort where some 40 locals have taken shelter.

He said: “We have arranged accommodation and food for the people in distress.”

Tidal waves of 5-7 feet height with a great speed would batter the island's structures, he told Dhaka Tribune. “Two-thirds of the people now staying here are at high risk.”
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Abdul Malek, who owns Sea Probal Beach Resort located close to the shore, has been campaigning on Facebook, seeking help from the administration and ship service operators, and making people aware of the looming danger.

He said he shut down his business a couple of days ago and left the island.

“Most of the locals and tourists have taken shelter in safer places,” he told Dhaka Tribune, adding: “But there is no ship or trawler to relocate some of the stranded people.”

The maritime port of Cox's Bazar has been asked to hoist the great danger signal 10 as very severe cyclonic storm Mocha over east central Bay and adjoining area moved North-Northeastwards over the same area.

Besides, the maritime port of Chittagong has been advised to hoist great danger signal eight (8) while maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local warning signal four (4). On Saturday morning, it was centred about 815 km south-southwest of Chittagong port, 745 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 785 km south of Mongla port and 745 km south of Payra port, said the latest Met office bulletin.

It is likely to intensify further, move in a north-northwesterly direction and cross Cox's Bazar-North Myanmar's coast between 6am to 6pm on Sunday.

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