Due to the influence of the new moon, tidal surges in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf Upazila have risen by one to three feet, flooding coastal agricultural lands and over 200 homes in Saint Martin’s Island and Shahporir Dwip.
The sea has been turbulent for several days due to a low-pressure system, compounded by the new moon’s effect, which has increased tidal heights. As a result, tidal water has inundated residential areas in various parts of Saint Martin’s Island and Shahporir Dwip. Nearly 50,000 residents of these areas are living in fear due to the rising waters.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin confirmed the flooding to *Prothom Alo*. He stated that tidal surges have caused sand dunes along Saint Martin’s beaches to collapse, with water entering residential areas. Similarly, in Shahporir Dwip, water has breached embankments, flooding homes and farmland. The matter has been reported to higher authorities.
Foyezul Islam, Acting Chairman of Saint Martin’s Union Parishad, expressed concern, stating, “Over the past two days, the tidal surge, driven by the new moon and low pressure, has increased. Residents are in panic. Sand dunes have collapsed in many areas, and boundary walls have been washed away. If geo-bags or concrete blocks are not deployed, there is a risk that Saint Martin’s Island could disappear entirely.”
Representatives from Shahporir Dwip reported that over the past two days, water has breached embankments, flooding low-lying areas and homes. Shahporir Dwip, part of Teknaf’s Sabrang Union, is home to approximately 40,000 people across Wards 7, 8, and 9. Surrounded by the Bay of Bengal on three sides and the Naf River on one, the island’s Gholarchar (Gholapara), Pashchimpara, Dakshinpara, Dangarpara, Mistripara, Bazarpara, and Jaliapara areas are now gripped by fear due to flooding.
Mizanur Rahman, Assistant Engineer at the Teknaf Water Development Board, told *Prothom Alo* that the issue of saline water breaching embankments and flooding residential areas and farmland has been reported to senior officials. Necessary actions will be taken upon their instructions.
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