Tourists flock to Kuakata beach amid rough weather
Barishal Correspondent :
A large number of tourists have flocked to Kuakata sea beach in Patuakhali during the Durga Puja holidays and the weekly holiday, ignoring rough weather conditions.
The beach has been experiencing rough weather, yet tourists have continued to arrive since Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning . The sky is cloudy, the sea is rough, and light rain accompanied by strong winds persists.
Despite these adverse conditions, hundreds of tourists continued their joyful activities. Walking along the beach, swimming in the sea, and taking group photos have created a festive atmosphere throughout Kuakata. The entire coastline is bustling with visitors.
“One of the things we really wanted was this lively atmosphere in Kuakata. We are coming as friends and having a lot of fun,” a tourist said. Many tourists are dancing, singing, laughing, and shouting along with the crashing waves. Others are enjoying rides on horses, motorcycles, or water bikes, while some relax on beach benches taking in the natural beauty.
Local business owners are thrilled with the increased number of visitors after a long time, reporting a noticeable rise in sales at tourism-related establishments.
However, many tourists are entering the sea despite ignoring safety instructions, which raises the risk of accidents. About 95pc of hotels and motels in Kuakata are fully booked. Crowds can be seen at all popular spots, including Zero Point, Lemburvan, Gangamati, Jhauban, Shutkipalli, and Mishripara.
Assistant Superintendent of Police of Kuakata Tourist Police, Habibur Rahman, said that police are patrolling in both uniform and plain clothes, and volunteers and local stakeholders are assisting. Despite repeated warnings over loudspeakers, many tourists continue to ignore instructions not to go too deep into the sea.
Rescue teams and fire service personnel are on standby to handle any emergencies, according to local authorities.
The main tourist season in this southern coastal area is considered October to April, although smaller numbers of visitors arrive throughout the rest of the year.
KM Bachchu, President of the Kuakata Tour Guide Association, said that tourism benefits everyone. “When tourists come to Kuakata, people of all professions feel the positive impact. Every tour guide becomes busy and earns a livelihood. Therefore, we urge the government to make arrangements for tourists to visit Kuakata year-round.”
Manowar Ali, a tourist from Dhaka, said, “Many are not afraid of the crashing waves; in fact, they enjoy the thrill.” However, some tourists complained about limited accommodation for multi-day stays, a lack of aesthetic beach facilities, uninterrupted transportation, and other issues.
Abdus Samad, visiting from Pabna, said, “I came with my family mainly to enjoy the Puja holidays. I planned this visit three months ago and will stay in Kuakata for two days. Although there are several beautiful spots, there is no proper place to spend the evening.”
Sakhawat Hossain Topu, Inspector of Kuakata Tourist Police, said, “We are on high alert and have taken necessary measures to ensure tourist safety. Still, many visitors are not following our instructions properly. We continue to warn them over loudspeakers not to go too deep while swimming.”
Patuakhali District Meteorological Officer Mahbuba Sukhi said that rough weather is prevailing in the coastal areas due to a deep depression formed in the Bay of Bengal.