Authorities must bring back the devastated St. Martin’s to life

The devastating severe cyclonic storm Mocha has recently wreaked havoc in Saint Martin’s Island, the country’s one of the most visited tourist spots. With a population of around 11,000, more than 2,000 houses and shops of the eight-square kilometre island have been damaged due to the cyclone. Of them, over 1,200 were completely destroyed. Most of the mud houses in Majherpara, Konarpara, Galachipa, Dakshinpara, Uttarpara and Paschimpara of the island were razed to the ground. Thousands of people are living in the open sky.

According to media reports, some residents of Saint Martin’s took cover in cyclone shelters in Teknaf after the forecast of the storm came. Remaining others were sent to shelters in St. Martin’s at the initiative of the local administration. Because of this, no one was injured, though the cyclone unleashed havoc on the island. The residents, after the storm had passed, returned to their homes only to find some houses were completely damaged while some others were partially damaged. They were left with nothing — no food, no support.
The concerned authorities, in this situation, should provide food, drinking water and other relief assistance to the affected people first. Those people cannot live in the open sky for long. Necessary financial assistance should also be provided so that these people can build and repair their damaged houses.

Local representatives told the media that the remnants of uprooted trees are being removed and the roads are being made suitable for traffic. Members of each ward have been vested with the responsibility to prepare the list of homeless families. About 1,500 families have already been listed. Damaged roads should also be repaired. Concerned authorities must remain alert to ensure that the relief and rehabilitation work is not delayed.

Mentionable that Saint Martin’s Island is one of the main tourist points of Bangladesh. All establishments including houses and restaurants here should be built in a planned and environment friendly manner. Many structures have been built arbitrarily before. We would like to draw attention of the concerned authorities to this issue so that this does not repeat especially after the cyclone.

The faster the authorities will provide relief and rehabilitation, the faster the lives of the residents of the island will return to normal. We hope St. Martin’s Island will come around and get back to life soon.