Red flag warning: many visitors ignore beach flags

Bad weather is prevailing in the coastal area of Cox's Bazar due to the impact of super cyclone Mokha. Cyclone Mokha is located 1,25 km (south and southwest) from Cox's Bazar coast. That's why the waves are hitting the Cox's Bazar sea coast a little higher than normal. However, some tourists are going into the sea ignoring light rain and warning signs. They do not obey the instructions of the lifeguard.

Cox's Bazar sky is cloudy since Friday (May 12) morning. Even though it was noon, the sun was not seen. After 11 am, the sky of Cox's Bazar started drizzling. Although it did not have much impact on public life. Currently, there is light rain in the surrounding areas of Cox's Bazar. In such a situation, thousands of tourists are bathing in the salt water of the sea.

A red flag has been raised on the beach. All seaports of the country including Cox's Bazar have been asked to display remote warning signal number 2. Residents of the coastal areas are spending their days in fear due to the ongoing situation. The people concerned said that the sea will be rough for the next week due to the effect of Mokha.

Zainal Abedin Bhuttu, official of Sea Safe Life Guard Organization, said that the sea is very rough at the moment. Tourists are not allowed to enter the sea but they do not care. And red flags have been drawn to warn tourists.

Ziku, a tourist coming from Dhaka, said that he came to the sea to see the cyclone. But I can't see the cyclone yet. But the wave height is a bit higher.

Another tourist named Zobair said he had never seen such a rough sea before. Very scared. So I am not going to bathe in the sea. This tourist also commented that life comes before bathing.

Cox's Bazar District Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran said, due to Mokha, all preparations have been made by the Cox's Bazar district administration. Control rooms have been opened in all upazilas. 576 shelters including cyclone shelters and schools in coastal areas of the district have been kept ready. 10 lakh 30 thousand cash, 490 metric tons of rice, 7 metric tons of dry food and 194 bundles of corrugated tin have been stored. Tourists are also prohibited from entering the sea.

Read More