Hundreds of tourists and visitors have gathered at Kuakata beach to witness the turbulent sea caused by Cyclone Midhili.
Since Friday morning, people have been enjoying bathing in the sea, disregarding warnings from tourist police, thana police, and the Red Crescent Society.
Meanwhile, the Bay of Bengal adjacent to Kuakata has become increasingly turbulent, with gusty winds and rain. Water levels have risen 4-5 feet above normal tide. The Meteorological Department issued warning signal Number 7 at Payra seaport, and the cyclone warning flag has been hoisted as Cyclone Midhili approaches rapidly.
According to the Meteorological Department and the Red Crescent Society, the cyclone was located 270km from Kuakata beach. However, local people were not seen going to shelters, and there was not much concern among those living outside the coastal embankment.
Tourist Azizur Rahman from Jamalpur said: "I came to Kuakata with my family the day before yesterday (Wednesday). Due to the sudden bad weather, I have not gone back. The sea has become rough due to the impact of the cyclone, and I went down to the beach to see the rough sea waves. Despite police warnings, I enjoyed in the waves."
Ahmed Shafiq, another tourist, shared: "This is the first time in my life that I have come to Kuakata beach in bad weather. I got the first experience of seeing the waves of the turbulent sea. Even though there is fear of cyclone, many tourists like me are crowding the beach."
Hasnain Parvez, the in-charge of Kuakata Tourist Police Zone, noted: "The sea is very rough due to the effect of Cyclone Midhili. Tourists are prohibited from bathing down the beach, but some are still enjoying themselves at various points. We are cautious to prevent anyone from going into the deep sea."
Didar Uddin Ahmed Masum, president of Mahipur Fisheries Artdar (warehouse) Cooperative Society, said: "All trawlers fishing in the sea have taken refuge in the Khaprabhanga river of Alipur-Mahipur."
Md Asaduzzaman, assistant director of upazila Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP), mentioned that rain and strong winds have started on the Kalapara coast. CPP members are ready in every union.
Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md Jahangir Hossain said: "All union chairmen have been asked to hold an emergency meeting. All shelters in the upazila are ready, and people outside the embankment are being urged to evacuate to shelters as the cyclone may hit by evening."