<i>Kuakata sea beach less affected by Sidr </i>
Kuakata sea beach which presents picturesque scenes of sunrise and sunset in sea is preparing to entertain tourists, three weeks after hurricane Sidr.
Compared to other areas, the 17 kilometre natural beach was less devastated by Sidr, locals said.
A team of journalists during a recent visit saw the tourist spot already cleaned up and hotel owners prepared to receive tourists, keeping an eye on the ensuing Eid-ul-Adha vacation.
Tourists have started flowing in as road links have been restored, they said.
Relief teams coming from different areas of the country, after finishing their work do not forget to stay for a couple of days to enjoy the scenic beauty, they said.
But there are still signs of destruction in Ashrayan (model village) project, LGED rest house, bio gas plant, T and T office, markets, jhaw and coconut gardens outside the coastal embankment. Repair of the damaged is going on in full swing
Inside the embankment, there was no serious sigh of damage except some uprooted trees and tore down shanties.
Local people said saline water from sea entered Majhibari and Jaliakata areas, about 5 kilometers from Kuakata main sea beach.
Researcher Hasanul Iqbal said its geographical location, structure of sea beds, emerging under water shoals and other unique characteristics saved Kuakata sea beach from destruction.
Hasan Abidur Reza, director of A B Graph, an NGO doing research on safety in country's sea beaches, said after hurricane Sidr, Kuakata again proved to be one of the safest sea beaches in the world.
Abdul Barek Molla, chairman of Latachapli Union Parishad in Kuakata, claimed that since independence, only three tourist died in Kuakata sea beach due to their ignorance about swimming.
There was no incident of death by drowning in quicksand (chorabali) or being washed away during low tide in Kuakata. “You can even enjoy a car drive on sands in the long sea beach without any danger”, he said.
However, in areas surrounding the beach, there was massive destruction. About 75 per cent of plantations, housing and other establishment were damaged by Sidr.
Kuakata sea beach and areas inside the embankment were less affected, the UP chairman said.
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