The upazila administration has directed tourists visiting Saint Martin Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar to return by 3 pm today Monday due to dangerous weather conditions. Micking is already being done on the island informing about this instruction. Also, the Teknaf-Saint Martin route will be closed from tomorrow Tuesday until further notice.
The deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas is moving slightly towards the north-northeast and is staying over the same area. Due to this, the Meteorological Department has asked to show the local warning signal number 3 on the seaports. Saint Martin’s weather is now warming due to this depression. Local people said that the sea is gradually getting rough.
Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Adnan Choudhury said that since Tuesday, ships, speedboats, wooden boats, or any other watercraft in Saint Martin have been banned until further notice due to Meteorological Department warning number 3. All tourists staying on the island of Saint Martin have been ordered to leave the island of Saint Martin. In the meantime, everyone on the island is being alerted by miking in Saint Martin.
According to BIWT sources, 180 tourists on Keari Sindbad, 272 on Keari Cruise and Dine, and 727 on MV Baro Aulia left for Saint Martin Island from Damdamiya Jetty Ghat in Teknaf at around 9:30 am today. Ships arrive in Saint Martin by 1 p.m. About 350 tourists were there for an overnight stay on Sunday.
Saint Martin Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Mujibur Rahman said, on the instructions of the administration, arrangements have been made to send instructions to hotels, motels, and resorts along with miking on Saint Martin island in combination with the Union Parishad and workers. Three ships are calling for tourists to be in position by 2:30 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. ship three will depart for Teknaf.
Regarding the island’s weather, the UP chairman said, it has been raining heavily since last night. The weather is cloudy now. The sea is slowly getting rougher.
keari Sindbad Manager (Accounts) Md. Mahbub Alam, manager of Teknaf of Shah Alam and MV Baro Aulia vessels, said three vessels are currently on Saint Martin Island. At three o’clock they will return with tourists staying in Saint Martin. Before 2:30 pm everyone is miked to take position on the ship.
