Cyclone Hamoon wrecks havoc in Cox's Bazar

Cyclonic storm Hamoon that swept through entire Cox's Bazar district on Tuesday left a trail of devastation.

The storm caused extensive damage especially to the agricultural sector of the district.

Around 50,000 farmers suffered losses in Chakria, Ramu, Maheshkhali, Ukhia and Teknaf upazilas of the district.

Aman paddy fields, betel leaf farms, vegetable gardens and fruit orchards suffered the most damage.

More than 37,000 houses were damaged by the storm while more than 5,000 of them were destroyed completely and around 32,000 of them were damaged partially.

At least 0.5 million (five lakh) people were affected by the storm in 70 unions and two municipalities of the district.

The power transmission lines were uprooted by the storm, because of which the people of Cox's Bazar are now plunged into darkness.

However, on Wednesday and Thursday, electricity supply was restored in some areas of Sadar upazila.

It will take much more time for the power system to be normal in Cox's Bazar, said the authorities.

The cyclonic storm wrecked its havoc at night, but the wounds became visible during daytime.

Trees and power poles were uprooted by the storm and electricity supply remained snapped in the entire district for two days.

At the same time, mobile phone network was also disrupted and the people suffered immensely for the reason.

Three people were killed and around 100 people were injured by the storm in the district.

Among the three, one was crushed by a wall in Cox's Bazar municipality while two others were crushed by falling trees in Maheshkhali and Chakaria upazilas.

The deceased are were identified as Abdul Khalek (40), son of Khuilla Mia of Pahartali area of Cox's Bazar town, Haradhan Dey (45) of Maheshkhali area and Askar Ali (47), son of Zafar Ahmad of Chakaria Badarkhali area.

Abdul Quader Gani, executive engineer of Cox's Bazar BPDB, said numerous electric poles were uprooted by cyclone Hamoon.

At the moment, electricity is being supplied in some areas. It will take at least two days to restore electricity to entire Cox's Bazar.

Atish Chakma, in-charge of Cox's Bazar Fire Service Station, said several thousand trees were uprooted by Cyclone Hamoon; due to which traffic was disrupted on Cox's Bazar-Chattogram highway and Cox's Bazar-Teknaf road.

Vehicular movement was brought back to normal on the highways and roads by removing trees.