Cyclone Mocha: Stranded people on St Martin’s Island demand relocation

Several thousand locals and tourists stuck at St Martin's Island off the coast of Cox's Bazar on Saturday 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 on the island, where the super cyclone is set to hit sometime today.

Several hundred people, mostly tourists, left the island on Thursday on trawlers, fishing boats and speedboats from Teknaf and Shah Porir Dwip as the ship services were suspended. 

But they did not find any vessel to leave the island yesterday. Calls for help by some stranded people went viral on social media.

The district administration said they have 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. 

There are over 100 concrete structures on the Island, said officials. 

“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 in height with great speed would batter the island's structures, he told Dhaka Tribune. “Two-thirds of the people now staying here are at high risk.”

Courtesy

Abdul Malek, who owns Sea Probal Beach Resort located close to the shore, was seen campaigning on Facebook yesterday, seeking help from the administration and ship service operators, and making people aware of the looming danger. 

He said he had 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.”

Cox's Bazar Meteorologist Mohammad Abdur Rahman yesterday said that since both sides of the island are open and water can flow freely, the likelihood of any significant damage is low, as water will not accumulate in that area.