Roanu wreaks havoc on Kuakata sea beach

Cyclone Roanu has done so much damage to the Kuakata beach that it is difficult to even take a walk on it now.

A portion of a connecting road from zero point to the beach was washed away as tidal surges hit the beach on Saturday. Rubble of structures, roads and stumps of uprooted trees laid scattered along the beach from Lembur Char to Gangamoti.

Trees of the coconut garden, Tamarisk garden and Gangamoti reserve forest were badly damaged in the cyclone, said local Anwar Hossain Anu.

The storm also destroyed over 25 temporary shops.

Showing a spot, Nasima Begum, a small shop owner, said her shop used to be there but the cyclone washed it away.

Tourists could go to the beach but the beach is full of rubble, torn and twisted metals, and tree branches, she said, adding that the beach should be cleaned immediately.

Motaleb Sharif, secretary of Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owner's Association, said before the cyclone, some 300 to 400 tourists both from home and abroad visited the beach daily even in this off-season. But after the cyclone, none visited the beach.

Tidal surges badly damaged the beach and the authorities concerned should take immediate steps to clean it to attract tourists again, he said.

Some tourists might visit the beach during the upcoming weekend, he hoped.

Ajit Kumar Rudra, divisional forest officer, said they were preparing a list to know about the number of damaged trees and establishments.

Abdul Bareq Mollah, mayor of Kuakata municipality, said they would take steps to clean the beach as soon as possible. They also called upon the government to take up a mega project to protect the beach from tidal surges during storms and other natural calamities, he added.