The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Barisal

The main tourist spots including the 17-kilometer long sea beach with unique opportunity for viewing both sunrise and sunset at Kuakata were cooperatively less affected by the tremendous destructive power of hurricane Sidr of November 15. Journalists recently visiting Kuakata beach after three weeks of the hurricane saw that total beach area and tourist spots have already been cleaned up and prepared to entertain clients during the upcoming tourist and picnic season and Eidul Ajha vacation. Tourists have started reaching there after restoration of road communication.

Different relief teams coming to help the distressed peoples are also enjoying the scenic beauty of Kuakata sea beach. However marks of destruction and damages are still visible in Ashrayan or model village project, LGED rest house, bio gas plant, T&T office, markets and coconut tree belt grown outside the coastal embankment. But the establishments inside the embankment were found more or less safe and sound except trees and thatched houses and shanties. Repair and reconstruction of the damaged establishments were in progress.

Local peoples said saline water from sea entered Majhibari and Jaliakata areas about 5 to 10 kilometers away from Kuakata beach. Mokhlesur Rahman, T&T operator at Kuakata said ten persons killed by tidal bore and crushed under trees and houses, were residents of localities far away from Kuakata shore.

Hasanul Iqbal, a research scholar about sea shores, said that geographical position, route of current, wave and wind, structure of sea beds, emerging underwater shoals and other elements and unique characteristics saved Kuakata sea beach from destruction.

Hasan Abidur Reza, director of A B Graph, a non-government organization engaged in research on the safe sea beaches of the country said that after the hurricane Kuakata again proved as one of the safest sea beaches of the world.

Abdul Barek Molla, chairman of Latachapli union parishad of Kuakata, said that since the independence of Bangladesh only three tourists died in Kuakata sea beach because they did not know how to swim.

There was no example of drowning in quicksand or being washed away by low tide. 'You can enjoy automobile ride on the sands of long sea beach without any fear of danger', he informed.

However in the surrounding areas of the beach huge destruction and damages of more than 75% plantations, houses and other establishments were caused by hurricane Sidr.

'Sidr avoided Kuakata sea beach and the areas inside the embankment', the UP chairman also acknowledged.