Crowds flock to Kuakata beach ignoring cyclone warning

Despite warnings of the incoming powerful Cyclone Mocha, thousands of tourists flocked to the popular Kuakata sea beach on Friday, ignoring the warning signal. 

The impact of the very severe cyclonic storm has not yet started to fully manifest on the coastline.

However, the Bay of Bengal has gradually become turbulent and a noticeable rise in the tide was seen on Friday evening.

Sanjida Akhtar, a tourist who arrived from Dhaka, said: "The sea seems a bit turbulent today (Friday) compared to the last two days. The high waves crashing onto the shore are thrilling. I enjoyed bathing in the sea."

Another tourist, Hafizur Rahman, said: "I came to Kuakata despite hearing about the cyclone. I saw on the news that the cyclone is moving towards Teknaf in Cox's Bazar and Myanmar, so I came to enjoy Kuakata. The high waves are thrilling, and I enjoyed bathing in the sea. I am alert but not scared."

Bangla Tribune

Almas Hawlader, a small businessman at Kuakata's Zero Point, said: "Despite the warning signals, I was surprised to see thousands of tourists bathing in the sea. Sales are good."

Meanwhile, maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, and Payra have been asked to hoist great danger signal 8 (eight) as Cyclone Mocha is approaching the southeastern coast of Bangladesh.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay of Bengal have been advised to take shelter immediately, according to a Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) bulletin posted on Friday night.

Cyclone Mocha is expected to make landfall on Sunday with wind speeds of up to 160kph and gusts up to 175kph (110mph) between Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh and Kyaukpyu in Myanmar, India's Meteorological Department said.

Bangla Tribune

The coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal no 8.

Under the peripheral effect of the cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox's Bazar and Chittagong and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surge height of 8-12 feet above normal astronomical tide.

Under the peripheral effect of the cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surge height of 5-7 feet above normal astronomical tide.