All types of passenger vessels on the Teknaf-Saint Martin route have been suspended due to the impact of Cyclone Dana.
Light rain has begun in Teknaf-Saint Martin, Cox's Bazar.
Since Wednesday morning, the sky in the border area of Teknaf has been overcast, with strong winds starting in the afternoon.
Following this, local administration has suspended all types of passenger vessels on the route.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Adnan Chowdhury said that light rain has already started in Teknaf due to Cyclone Dana. Consequently, all passenger boat services between Teknaf and Saint Martin have been halted.
“Additionally, we are monitoring Shapuree Island and Saint Martin closely."
He added: "All shelters in the upazila are prepared, and all union chairmen and members have been instructed to remain vigilant."
Meanwhile, Cyclone Dana is located 640 kilometers south-southeast of Mongla seaport.
Moreover, residents of Shapuree Island and Saint Martin are anxious due to the cyclone's impact, exacerbated by rising tidal waters causing damage to the concrete blocks of the western embankment of the island.
Thousands of island resident are in panic due to the cyclone. Additionally, the residents of Saint Martin are concerned because of their houses near sea. Although a 3-kilometre embankment was constructed on the western and southern sides of Shapuree Island at a cost of Tk151 crore under the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in June 2022, the situation remains precarious.
Shahin Alam, a resident of Shapuree Island, said: "Recently, with rising tidal waters and wave impacts, the embankment blocks have collapsed. Moreover, the residents are in a state of panic due to Cyclone Dana, especially those living near the embankment."
Mohammad Ishak, a resident of Saint Martin Island, mentioned: "Winds have begun due to Cyclone Dana, but the impact is not yet severe. Still now, we are safe.”
When asked, the chairman of Saint Martin Union, Md Mujibur Rahman, said: "There is not much effect of Cyclone Dana on the island. However, as our houses near the sea, we are remaining cautious."
Abdur Rashid, president of the Teknaf-Saint Martin boat owners' association, said: "All types of vessels on this route have been suspended due to Cyclone Dana."