Several coastal areas in Cox’s Bazar, including Kutubdia, St. Martin’s, and Maheshkhali, have been flooded following a tidal surge caused by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. Water levels rose by two to three feet, inundating vast areas and damaging infrastructure.
Over the past two days, high waves have eroded at least ten points of the Cox’s Bazar sea beach. Tourist hotspots such as Laboni, Sugandha, and Kolatoli have seen significant erosion. Temporary structures used by the tourist police were swept away, and numerous scenic Jhau trees were uprooted by the force of the waves.
The surge also caused damage to four points along the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive Road, particularly in the Teknaf and Patuartek areas of Ukhiya. Due to the combined impact of the depression and the new moon tide, tidal waters entered localities through broken embankments in coastal and island regions such as Kutubdia and Maheshkhali.
In Kutubdia, low-lying areas including Anis-er Deil, Tabaler Char, Kahar Para, and the vicinity of the wind power plant were submerged. More than fifty houses, roads, ponds, and essential installations went under water. Dhulghata and Matarbari areas of Maheshkhali also experienced flooding.
Kutubdia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kathoyai Prue Marma reported that the most severely affected locations include Anis-er Deil, Tabaler Char, Haidar Para, and Kajir Para. Tidal waters breached embankments near the wind power project, flooding roads used for electricity infrastructure, ponds, educational institutions, and agricultural lands.
In St. Martin’s Island, tidal waters entered residential areas in the northern and western parts, putting local tourism resorts at risk. Former Union Parishad member Habibur Rahman stated that residents of the island are facing significant hardship.
The tourist police and lifeguard teams have issued advisories urging visitors to stay cautious and avoid venturing beyond knee-deep waters in Cox’s Bazar sea beach areas.
Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar, Mohammad Salahuddin, informed that a damage assessment will be carried out by the Upazila Nirbahi Officers once the rainfall and tidal conditions subside.
