Rough weather cuts off St Martin's, Sandwip from mainland for six days
Acting Union Parishad Chairman Faizul Islam said such disruptions occur every June and July
Rough seas triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal have left St Martin's Island and Sandwip cut off from the mainland for five consecutive days, disrupting transport, supplies and daily life while stranding thousands of passengers.
Authorities have suspended passenger trawlers on the Teknaf–St Martin's route and ferry and all other water transport on the Banshbaria–Guptachhara route since Thursday as Local Cautionary Signal No 3 remains in force.
St Martin's worries over supplies
St Martin's, the southernmost union of Teknaf upazila, depends entirely on the mainland for food and essential supplies. With passenger trawlers suspended since 2 July, concerns are growing over shortages.
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Heavy rain has battered Cox's Bazar, Teknaf and St Martin's for three consecutive days through today (7 July), while strong northeasterly winds have kept the Bay rough. Tidal surges have flooded low-lying homes, forcing many residents indoors, while fishermen have remained ashore.
Local resident Abu Taleb said sea levels had risen by an estimated four to five feet after days of heavy rain, with large waves pounding the shoreline.
Acting Union Parishad Chairman Faizul Islam said such disruptions occur every June and July. "If someone falls seriously ill, there is virtually no way to take them to the mainland," he said.
With the HSC examinations under way, the administration is considering deploying a Bangladesh Coast Guard vessel from Shah Porir Dwip to transport HSC candidates to Teknaf, weather permitting. Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Anik Chowdhury said the matter has been referred to the relevant ministry for a decision.
Sandwip remains isolated
Sandwip has also remained cut off from Chattogram after ferry and all other water transport were suspended. Limited speedboat and trawler services operated on the Kumira-Guptachhara route on Thursday and Friday before worsening weather forced a complete shutdown.
More than 100 passenger and cargo vehicles are stranded at the two ferry terminals, putting perishable goods at risk of spoilage. Thousands of residents and commuters also remain stranded, while drivers and transport workers are enduring poor conditions due to inadequate rest areas, toilets and bathing facilities.
Residents said emergency patients, students, businesspeople, office workers and overseas-bound migrant workers have been among the worst affected. Many employees were unable to return to work after the weekly holiday, while several international travellers missed flights, raising concerns over visa validity and leave expiry.
Sandwip Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amjad Hossain said suspending water transport was unavoidable. "We have no control over the weather. It is a natural disaster," he said, adding that emergency patients are being treated at the upazila health complex.
BIWTA Deputy Director (Port and Transport) Nayan Shil said all sea transport will remain suspended until Local Cautionary Signal No 3 is withdrawn.
