 The upazila administration has announced the suspension of ship traffic on the Teknaf-Saint Martin waterway due to the issue of local warning signal No. 2 at the seaport due to inclement weather. As a result, last Saturday (March 18) the tourists who went for a trip to Saint Martin were stranded. They have to stay on the island for one more day. Since Sunday (March 19) morning, no ship carrying tourists has left Teknaf Damdamiya Ghat for Saint Martin. Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Kamruzaman said that no ship carrying tourists from Teknaf was allowed to go to Saint Martin Island to avoid accidents. The tourists who bought the tickets have been ordered to return the money. He also said that the law enforcement forces have been asked to be vigilant so that the tourists staying on the island are not harassed. Besides, tourists have also been instructed not to go down on the beach. If the weather is normal, the ship movement will start again. St. Martin UP Chairman Mujibur Rahman said that thousands of tourists are staying in St. Martin Island. They were supposed to go back today. But they have to stay on the island as the shipping is stopped. He also said that the weather is normal on the island. Nevertheless, tourists are being warned by miking that they should not bathe in the sea. However, it is said that there is no fear among the tourists. Noor Mohammad, a resident of St. Martin Island and a tourism businessman, said that thousands of tourists are still staying on the island. Apart from this, the tourists staying in his cottage rent the rooms for two days. Because the sea is rough. He said that tourists can go back whenever the situation becomes normal. Mokhleshur Rahman of Gazipur, who came to visit Saint Martin Island, said that he came to visit with his family and got stuck. My family is not alone many are trapped. No ships will come to the island today due to rough seas. As a result, we have to stay on the island for one more day. Shah Alam Janas, manager of Teknaf of cruise ship Carey Sindbad and Carey Dining & Cruise, said no ship went to the island due to rough weather. Many tourists are stranded on the island. If the weather is normal, they will be brought back. In this regard, Traffic Supervisor of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Teknaf Region Zahir Uddin Bhuiyan said that last Saturday, more than 1,000 tourists came to visit the island in six ships on this waterway. Tourists are unable to return due to the disastrous environment. Tourists will be able to go back after the weather becomes normal.
Visits: 0
