Cyclone \\\'Komen\\\' crosses BD coast

FE Report | Published: August 01, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

The cyclonic storm 'Komen' crossed the Bangladesh coast near Sandwip, Noakhali and adjoining areas as a landfall Friday without causing any major damage to life and properties.
Some low-lying areas in Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Feni and Noakhali got submerged while several hundred thatched houses were damaged and many trees uprooted.
The Met Office lowered the danger signal no. 07 to the cautionary signal no. 03 for Chittagong and Cox's Bazar maritime ports.
Movement of water vessels, which was suspended throughout the country on Thursday due to the inclement weather caused by 'Komen' resumed on Friday as the cyclone has weakened.
However, the effect of the Komen came as another blow to the country's flood situation, as incessant rain due to the storm submerged more areas and marooned more people in the southern region on Friday.
The situation was severe in some places in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, Bhola, Rangamati and Bandarban districts, completely suspending distribution of relief materials to the flood-affected people.
The incessant heavy rainfall not only hit people in the flood-affected areas but also badly disrupted normal life of those living in the non-flood areas.   
At the same time, Bandarban hill district has been disconnected with other parts of the country, as a bridge, known as Suwal Bridge went down slightly because of the flash-flood amid continuous downpour. Subsequently, the authorities concerned have suspended vehicular movements on the bridge that connects the district with Chittagong and Cox's Bazar.
When contacted, deputy assistant engineer of Roads and Highways Department (RHD) of Bandarban Office Azizul Mostafa said a bridge adjacent to Suwal check-post in Keranihaat of the district went down slightly, halting traffic movements between the hill district and other parts of the country.
"We're now engaged in building a bailey bridge over the collapsed bridge to ensure movement of vehicles," he added.    
Flash-floods triggered by heavy rain in the last couple of days due to the cyclonic storm have left thousands of people stranded in 13 upazilas of Chittagong district while many areas are completely submerged under water. High-tide coupled with onrush of water from hills inundated low-lying areas of the district, causing immense sufferings to the affected people.
Almost all the unions and the municipality in Satkania thana were inundated due to incessant rain and tidal surge.
Low-lying areas of Raujan, Sitakunda, Hathajari, Rangunia, Boalkhali, Patia, Mirsarai, Chandanaish and Anwara upazilas also went under water, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Chittagong Mazbah Uddin told the FE.
He said incessant rain following the cyclone has been recorded in the district since Thursday morning, which has intensified the risk of landslide at various locations across the district.
"In some cases, we're facing difficulties in reaching the flood-hit people. As a result, ongoing relief distribution activities are severely disrupted."
The DC said many people are still staying at cyclone shelter centres. Besides, fishes of many ponds and farms in various locations of the district were also washed away.
As the cyclonic storm 'Komen' weakened after hitting the country's coastal areas with heavy rainfall, inland water transportation resumed at about 8:00 am on Friday after 24 hours of suspension, and the vessels were asked to move with caution.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in a special bulletin on the day lowered the danger signal no-7 to cautionary signal no-3 for Chittagong and Cox's Bazar maritime ports. The danger signal no-5 for Mongla and Payra ports were also brought down to cautionary signal no-3.
It also advised all fishing boats, trawlers and marine vessels over north Bay to remain in shelter till Friday afternoon and proceed with caution till further notice.
BMD Director Shah Alam said the cyclone crossed Chittagong coast near Sandwip at 6:00 am on Friday, and lied over Noakhali and adjoining areas as a land depression. It is likely to move west-northwestwards in land and to weaken gradually through heavy rainfall.
He said monsoon axis also runs through Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal in India, and centre of the depression thence northeastwards to Assam state of the neighbouring country across southern part of Bangladesh.
He also forecasted that light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary squally wind was likely to occur at most places over Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong, Sylhet and Dhaka divisions and at many places over Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions.
Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) under Water Development Board showed that the Matamuhuri and the Sangu rivers were flowing over the danger mark by 75 to 97 cm. The Kopotakkho at Jhikargacha was also flowing over the danger mark.
FFWC also forecasted that water-flow of the Brahmaputra and the Jamuna rivers recorded a falling trend, which might continue for the next 72 hours starting from 6.00 pm Friday. The Surma and the Kushiara rivers also recorded the same trend on the day, but the Ganges-Padma river system showed a rising trend.
FFWC assistant engineer Ripon Karmaker said the country's southern and south-eastern parts were experiencing heavy rainfall that might continue for the next two days. As a result, the flood situation in some areas of Bandarban, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar districts might deteriorate further.
He said Lama in Bandarban witnessed the highest 183 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours till 6:00 am Friday, while many places in Cox's Bazar experienced 74 to 90 mm rainfall during the time.
Light to moderate rains were reported from the southern region and some other parts of the country, including the capital, from Thursday night and that continued on Friday also.
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