St Martin‍‍`s route ships suspended

Tourist ships on the Teknaf-Saint Martin route in Cox's Bazar have been suspended. The administration has taken this decision to avoid accidents due to adverse weather under the influence of cyclone Michaung in the Bay of Bengal. Tourist ships have not operated from Teknaf to St. Martin since yesterday morning. More than 200 tourists are stranded on the island.
According to Cox's Bazar Met office, the severe cyclonic storm Michaung over west-central Bay and adjoining area has crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast of India and now lies over Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas. It is likely to move further inland and weaken gradually through rain. Under its influence deep convection is taking place over North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh. Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to lower distant cautionary signal No 2 but instead hoist local cautionary signal No 3.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Adnan Chowdhury said the movement of all types of vessels, including tourist ships, has been banned due to the rough sea due to adverse weather. If the cyclone situation is normal, the movement of vessels will be allowed. 
He also said that the tourists stranded on the island are being searched and overall cooperation is being provided by the administration including the Union Parishad.

ARS