Cox's Bazar Correspondent

Slight rainfall has flooded the coastal low-lying areas of Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar and one person drowned in the water on Thursday.

According to Md. Abdul Hannan, Assistant Meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office, 91 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in the last 24 hours (as of 9 AM). Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely today and tomorrow, followed by light to moderate rain for another 1-2 days.

Due to this rainfall and tidal surge, areas including Kutubjom, Sairar Deil of Matarbari, Dhalghata, and Chhoto Maheshkhali were inundated. Roads, markets, and hundreds of homes went underwater, disrupting normal life. Intense load-shedding has been ongoing since morning. Panic-stricken residents have been seen rushing to find safer shelter. A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has turned into a depression, causing the tide to rise to double its usual height. This resulted in damage to Maheshkhali’s main roads, with floodwater entering marketplaces, educational institutions, and homes across different unions. Many people's belongings were washed away.

On Thursday morning, in Ghotibhanga area of Kutubjom Union, a man named Danu Mia (42) drowned in the tidal waters. His family reported that Danu Mia suffered from epilepsy. While returning home from a shop, he lost balance, fell unconscious into the water, and was quickly rescued and taken to a hospital, where the attending doctor declared him dead.

The Meteorological Department has stated that due to the depression formed over the Bay of Bengal, tides 2 to 3 feet higher than normal may occur along the Cox’s Bazar coastline. With the possibility of the depression intensifying further, warnings have been issued for coastal areas. Low-lying areas near Maheshkhali and Kutubdia coasts remain at risk of submersion. Additionally, small trawlers and boats have been advised to remain close to the shore until further notice.

High waves in the sea damaged the fishing nets of numerous trawlers stationed at the Badarkhali channel. Fishermen, caught in the turbulent waters, were forced to return to shore seeking safe shelter. They reported venturing out for a few days’ worth of fishing but losing almost all their nets in the rough waves. At the jetty, many fishermen were seen repairing torn nets, worried about financial losses due to the disaster.

Sona Mia, a resident of Jaliapara area, said his last remaining possession — his house — is now on the verge of being swallowed by the sea. He said, “We spent a sleepless night with the whole family. I don’t have the means to relocate the house.” Rahima Begum from the same village added, “Without an embankment, we face this suffering every year. This time, our house flooded and everything is ruined.” They demanded the urgent construction of sustainable embankments.

Due to adverse weather, the Maheshkhali-Cox's Bazar sea truck route has been suspended from 11 AM onwards by the Upazila administration. Additionally, people in the coastal areas of Chhoto Maheshkhali Union have been instructed to move quickly to nearby cyclone shelters. The administration has confirmed that shelter centers are ready, and monitoring has been intensified in the affected areas.

Hedayet Ullah, UNO of Maheshkhali, said, several areas of the upazila have been submerged; water has entered multiple homes. We have received reports of one death. Residents of high-risk areas are being moved to safe shelters, and the administration is working to ensure post-disaster relief efforts.