Chattogram Port resumes operations after cyclone Sitrang

Chattogram Port, the country's main gateway, has resumed its operations after cyclone Sitrang lashed through the coastal areas.

Ships, which had gone into the open sea during the cyclone, started returning to the jetty around 9:00 am on Tuesday, said a port official.

No damage was caused to the port due the cyclone, he added.

The port was evacuated as a precautionary measure before the cyclone hit the coast early on Tuesday.

On Monday morning the port took its own level-type precautionary measures following the issuance of cautionary signal number seven by the Meteorological Department.

The loading-unloading of goods from the mother vessels at the outer anchorage and jetties of the port were also halted.

Tidal water damage

As the cyclone hit the coastal areas, the commercial areas of Chattogram were submerged in tidal water. Traders say they have suffered huge losses.

The entire Chaktai, Khatunganj, Achadganj, Patharghata and Qurbaniganj areas were submerged in tidal water.

The water started coming after 12:30 am and after 3:00 am when the ebb began, the water subsided. A lot of goods of business establishments were destroyed.

On Tuesday morning, businessmen in Khatunganj were seen extracting water from their establishments.

Local residents said that salty water of the tide entered their houses through the Chaktai canal and various sub-canals connected to the Karnaphuli river. Some trees and crop fields were damaged along the coast.