Nurul Kaisar Jewel, Teknaf (Cox's Bazar)

Passenger vessel operations on the crucial Teknaf–Saint Martin maritime route remained suspended for the fifth consecutive day due to hostile weather conditions and a turbulent Bay of Bengal.

The prolonged suspension of naval communication has severely disrupted the supply of daily essentials to Saint Martin’s Island, the country's sole coral island, sparking a shortage of foodstuffs and other essential commodities. Simultaneously, over a hundred commuters and travelers remain stranded on both sides of the channel, facing mounting distress.

Local sources reported that the administration and relevant authorities halted all shipping operations earlier this week as a precautionary safety measure due to the rough sea. The prolonged halt has stopped the regular influx of rice, fresh vegetables, fruits, and drinking water to the offshore island. Local islanders and traders noted that the dwindling inventories have caused prices of the remaining essential goods to spiral upward over the last 48 hours.

The suspension has also left more than a hundred passengers trapped, unable to travel for urgent necessities. Many stranded individuals are missing work commitments on the mainland, while others seeking emergency medical treatment or traveling for unavoidable family matters have been left helpless.

When contacted, Teknaf UNO S.M. Anik Chowdhury stated that the local administration remains on high alert regarding the weather hazards. He assured that local cyclone shelters have been kept fully operational to tackle any sudden emergency and that the entire channel situation is being monitored round the clock.

Maritime authorities indicated that passenger vessels will only be allowed to resume operations once the adverse weather clears and sea conditions return to normal.