Cox's Bazar has been severely affected by Hamoon, as the local residents found themselves unprepared due to the sudden onset of the cyclonic storm.
Many blamed the met office for the lack of timely warnings, resulting in significant damage to the area.
Shahena Akhtar, a resident of Samitipara, expressed frustration, stating that despite signal No 6 being raised at sea, local authorities failed to inform them. Consequently, they were unaware and unprepared, ending up stranded without access to shelters.
Abdul Jabbar from the same area shared similar sentiments, emphasizing that the weather office's information indicated the cyclone was heading towards Barisal, not Cox's Bazar. The sudden intensity of the cyclone caught them off guard, resulting in the destruction of numerous homes in the Samitipara area.
Mariam Khatun from Kutubdia lamented the loss of her home owing to trees falling on it during the cyclone. She and her family are now left under the sky, with their house completely destroyed.
Bakhtiar Uddin Rubel, a member of ward No 6 of Badarkhali union parishad in Chakaria, reported that over 200 houses in the coastal union were destroyed by the strong winds.
Besides the death of one Askar Ali, more than 20 people sustained injuries, he added.
Rubel criticized the lack of coordination between the weather forecast and administrative preparedness, contributing significantly to the extent of the damage. Additionally, hundreds of mud houses in East Bara Veola, B M Char, Demusia and Konakhali unions suffered varying degrees of damage, causing injuries to at least ten individuals due to flying debris.
Advocate Sheikh Kamal, chairman of Maheshkhali’s Kutubjom union, highlighted the devastation in Kutubjom, Hoanak, Dhanghata, Matarbari and Kalamarchhara unions. Houses and trees were destroyed, and tidal water inundated parts of Dhanghata before receding.
Cox's Bazar Municipality Mayor Md Mahabubur Rahman Chowdhury reported the ongoing efforts to clear roads blocked by fallen trees in various areas. One person lost their life in the municipality, and more than 250 houses were destroyed.
Samitipara, Fadnar Dale, and Nazirertek areas experienced extensive damage, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance and relief efforts in the affected regions.
Plants damaged
Cox's Bazar faced substantial devastation during Cyclone Hamoon, with plants bearing the brunt of the storm, according to Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran.
He revealed that the cyclone's impact was notably harsh on the region's trees and plants, causing extensive damage in both Cox's Bazar city and the surrounding upazilas.
Communication with the affected areas remains challenging due to disrupted networks and power outages, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage.
In Cox's Bazar city alone, thousands of trees have fallen onto the roads, severely disrupting local infrastructure.
The deputy commissioner assured that immediate relief efforts are underway, with affected individuals set to receive emergency supplies, including wave tins and cash assistance. The administration is working to expedite aid to the affected population.
Responding to inquiries about cyclone preparedness, Deputy Commissioner Imran emphasized that there was no negligence on their part. Warning messages were disseminated in advance before Cyclone Hamoon made landfall, and measures were taken to evacuate tourists from Saint Martin’s Island.
He added that the cyclone was not initially predicted to impact Cox's Bazar directly. However, the sudden change in direction resulted in an unexpected strike, amplifying the scale of the destruction in the region.
At least three people reportedly died after walls and trees collapsed on them in Cox’s Bazar due to the impact of Hamoon on Tuesday night.
Cyclone Hamoon struck Cox's Bazar coast after 7pm, bringing continuous strong winds and thunderous rain until 9:30pm. The powerful winds caused widespread uprooting of trees and extensive damage to houses and infrastructure in Cox's Bazar city and its surrounding areas.
Numerous trees were toppled, including those in the vicinity of the deputy commissioner's office, disrupting vehicular movement. The entire area, including Cox's Bazar, experienced a power outage from the evening.
The deputy commissioner confirmed the three casualties as a result of Cyclone Hamoon. The impact of the cyclone has led to uprooted trees and broken electric poles on the roads in the upazilas. Cox's Bazar is currently experiencing a lack of electricity and network connectivity, rendering the city inactive. Damage assessment efforts are in progress.
However, authorities have not yet initiated efforts to clear the uprooted trees or restore electricity connections after the cyclone, increasing the suffering of the affected residents.
