Rough sea in St Martin’s as wind grows stronger

Under the influence of Cyclone Mocha, winds are getting stronger in St Martin's Island.

"Weather is very stormy here," tourism businessman Taki Usmani Khoka told the Daily Star over phone at 8:30am today.

Asked about the condition of the sea, he said, "What can I say? The condition of ocean is in the state it should be in stormy weather. It's a horrible situation."

About the timing of tide in St Martin's, he said, "The tide will start from 10:00am to 10:15am and it will last for four hours."Taki said around 4,000 people took shelter in the navy shelter centres, hospital, primary schools and in a local hotel.

Asked about the remaining 3,500 people who did not go to the centres, he said, "They are staying at home.

"Many people have small generators at their homes. We're going to them and charging our phones."

When asked if he had gone to the shelter, the tourism businessman said, "I came to the shelter at 6:30am. I'm in a hospital shelter. '

When asked about food, he said, "Khichuri was cooked at night. With this, 40 percent of the people were fed. Those who carry dry foods with them are eating those. They are also sharing this with other people."

If the amount of rice and lentil enough for the next two to three days, Taki Usmani said, "I don't know how much is left. No one is saying anything. I don't know how people will get food. The storm didn't come suddenly. No one thought of us. I wonder if we're human, why did no one think of us? Cows, goats and dogs have nowhere to go for shelter. Our situation is almost the same. "