Improving weather forecast system to save fisherman
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
AT present the number three cautionary signal for the sea-ports are not so effective for the poor fishermen of our country. The unscrupulous and needy fishermen with their wooden-bodied fishing trawlers do not care for this signal. But the sea is becoming rough and tough for them and they are facing acute troubles to save their lives and fishing boats.
During the rough season this year a good number of fishing trawlers was lost and many lives of fishermen were also lost in the Bay of Bengal and its estuaries. The fishermen always take shelter during danger signals only. But the condition of sea is rough and tough during the period of No. 3 cautionary signal. As a result, many small fishing trawlers are sinking in the high seas and also many lives and properties are lost. To overcome this alarming situation, we would like to suggest to forecast the danger signals for the fisherman if the sea is very rough during No. 3 signal.
For the bigger vessels, the normal signals could be hoisted. Besides the high-powered committee which was constituted after the April 1991 cyclone, recommended that some better signalling system should be given due consideration and new special signal or separate signals, to be given for the fisherman only. This is to be done to make the poor fishermen aware of the prevailing situation during the No. 3 cautionary signal so that the poor and needy fishermen can take shelter to save their lives and boats. The present storm warning system was made in 1962 which is not adjustable to the present requirements because the No. 3 and 4 are the danger and great danger signals for inland river ports but these are only cautionary and warning signals for sea-ports. This is very much confusing to the innocent people.
Signal No. 2 for inland river ports means only vessels being of 65ft and below in length should take shelter but the above 65ft vessels are allowed to ply during No. 2 warning signal. This causes sinking of a number of passengers launches and small boats. A good number of lives and property are lost.
For example, in 2003 and 2004 MV Salauddin-2.MV.Mitali-3 MV Diganta Express and MV Lighting Sun etc. service launches sank during No. 2 warning signal. Those vessels were more than 100ft in length but the actual condition of rivers was more rough than the No. 2 signals forecast by Met office. This is very unfortunate and alarming for us to see the loss of a larger number of the lives of poor fisherman with their small fishing boats/trawlers. Only danger signal can prevent them from sailing into the deep seas for fishing in the Bay of Bengal. So the government should think over this problem seriously. Otherwise, special training should be given to the poor fishermen for the safety of their lives during the No. 3 signal for sea-ports.
Mohd. Emdadul Haque (Badsha)
Vill: Charkumaria, PO: Charkumaria Bazar
PS: Titas, Dist: Comilla
During the rough season this year a good number of fishing trawlers was lost and many lives of fishermen were also lost in the Bay of Bengal and its estuaries. The fishermen always take shelter during danger signals only. But the condition of sea is rough and tough during the period of No. 3 cautionary signal. As a result, many small fishing trawlers are sinking in the high seas and also many lives and properties are lost. To overcome this alarming situation, we would like to suggest to forecast the danger signals for the fisherman if the sea is very rough during No. 3 signal.
For the bigger vessels, the normal signals could be hoisted. Besides the high-powered committee which was constituted after the April 1991 cyclone, recommended that some better signalling system should be given due consideration and new special signal or separate signals, to be given for the fisherman only. This is to be done to make the poor fishermen aware of the prevailing situation during the No. 3 cautionary signal so that the poor and needy fishermen can take shelter to save their lives and boats. The present storm warning system was made in 1962 which is not adjustable to the present requirements because the No. 3 and 4 are the danger and great danger signals for inland river ports but these are only cautionary and warning signals for sea-ports. This is very much confusing to the innocent people.
Signal No. 2 for inland river ports means only vessels being of 65ft and below in length should take shelter but the above 65ft vessels are allowed to ply during No. 2 warning signal. This causes sinking of a number of passengers launches and small boats. A good number of lives and property are lost.
For example, in 2003 and 2004 MV Salauddin-2.MV.Mitali-3 MV Diganta Express and MV Lighting Sun etc. service launches sank during No. 2 warning signal. Those vessels were more than 100ft in length but the actual condition of rivers was more rough than the No. 2 signals forecast by Met office. This is very unfortunate and alarming for us to see the loss of a larger number of the lives of poor fisherman with their small fishing boats/trawlers. Only danger signal can prevent them from sailing into the deep seas for fishing in the Bay of Bengal. So the government should think over this problem seriously. Otherwise, special training should be given to the poor fishermen for the safety of their lives during the No. 3 signal for sea-ports.
Mohd. Emdadul Haque (Badsha)
Vill: Charkumaria, PO: Charkumaria Bazar
PS: Titas, Dist: Comilla