Teknaf Upazila of Cox's Bazar has been the area most affected by Cyclone Mocha, with 80% of houses in Shahparir Dwip and St Martin's Island damaged completely. The two islands have also been without electricity since Sunday, as cables and poles were damaged in the cyclone's impact.
Moreover, people in these two areas have been suffering from shortages of drinking water and food since no government aid reached them as of Wednesday.
The upazila administration gave relief assistance to those who were in cyclone shelters.
Locals say Shahparir Dwip under Sabrang Union has been hit really hard by the cyclone. On the island, Mocha has impacted more than 8,000 out of 35,000 people. Most of the families are running without any food or potable water.
Bangla TribuneMd Salam lives in Jaliapara of Shahparir Dwip with three other members of his family. Two of his uncles live next door. He has become destitute after the cyclone made landfall on the island.
"Houses are all uprooted; there is no electricity in the area; we have nowhere to go. There is no food or water. I don't understand what to do,” Salam said.
Salam's uncle Yunus said: "I have a family of eight members. The cyclone has completely destroyed our houses. Now there is no place to stay. I can't repair the house by myself.”
Tea seller Abdul Alim lives in Paschimpara village. The shop, his only possession, was destroyed in the cyclone. He has nothing for food now.
Noor Ayesha Begum, a resident of Majharpara on St Martin's Island, said: "I used to live in a hut that was torn down by the storm. I took shelter at my sister's house. I haven't eaten since this morning. I am burning under the scorching sun. I need to go out in search of relief assistance, but I don't have that strength.”
Making the same complaint, Abdul Malek of the island said: "Some 8,000 people on the island have been affected by the cyclone. Most people do not have food at home. We are in a very bad situation.”
He said: "When there is a shortage of food and clean water, we are given puffed rice. It's a farce. We need relief materials and rehabilitation.”
Abdus Salam, a member of Sabrang Union Parishad, said: “Some 1,200 houses were damaged in my ward. The people are facing a shortage of food and water. We helped thousands of people initially. The program to assist the rest is going on.”
He added that there had been a scarcity of potable water even before the cyclone hit the island. “Tubewell water in Jaliapara, Camp Para and Gholar Para is salty. Water has to be brought from far away. But there is no way to go there now with road communication snapped and no electricity.”
Bangla TribuneCox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran said that relief assistance and material for repairing houses had been sent to the respective areas.
Referring to the list of victims for rehabilitation, the deputy commissioner said the local administration had initiated the procedure to enlist everyone bearing the impact of Mocha on Wednesday.
“Relief items are being distributed among 1,200 affected families on St Martin's Island. The residents of Shahparir Dwip will also get relief materials. Building materials and cash will be given to them for repairing their houses,” the DC added.
