Bay of Bengal
Bodies of two fishermen found week after fishing boat capsizes in Bay
Coast Guard recovered the bodies of two fishermen from the Bay of Bengal Tuesday and Wednesday almost a week after a fishing boat carrying them capsized when a hole appeared in the vessel and water started gushing into it.
The deceased were identified as Yusuf, 25, and Bayezid, 20, Barguna's Patharghata.
Kazi Shaminul Bari, Coast Guard Kachikhali Contingent commander, said the duo started sleeping on the boat after casting their net to catch fish in the Bay on January 5. "They went missing after their fishing boat sank."
The Coast Guard personnel had been carrying out rescue operations to find the missing fishermen in the Bay and several areas of the Sundarbans since January 6, he said.
Although the fishing boat was salvaged from the Bay on the following day, floating bodies of Yusuf and Bayezid were found on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning from the sea, Shaminul said.
Md Ikram Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sharankhola Police Station, said the bodies were handed over to their families after the completion of legal procedures.
Read more: 13 trawlers sink in Bay in Cox’s Bazar
Bangladesh 'pearl of Bay of Bengal, important country in South Asia': New Chinese envoy
Newly appointed Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Yao Wen has described Bangladesh as the "Pearl of the Bay of Bengal, an important country in South Asia and a rapidly emerging economy."
"Bangladesh is playing an irreplaceable role in regional and international affairs," said the ambassador who arrived here on Wednesday evening to serve as the 16th ambassador of China to Bangladesh.
Yao thanked and paid a tribute to Bangladeshi friends from all walks of life for their kind help and stern support for the betterment of China-Bangladesh relations.
He said under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation has been developing fast and steadily.
"We keep enhancing mutual political trust, proactively synergize development strategies, promote cooperation in all fields, understand and support each other on core interests and major concerns, and jointly uphold international justice and true multilateralism," said the envoy.
Acknowledging that China has embarked on a new journey toward a modern socialist country in all respects while Bangladesh is striving with no effort spared for the splendid dream of "Sonar Bangla" by following the country's Vision 2041 perspective plan, the envoy said their common goals would definitely bring about more powerful dynamics, more vigorous vitality, and an even brighter future for the bilateral relations.
Yao said he is ready to work with friends from all walks of life to steadily implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, continuously explore new growth areas and write a new chapter for the Bangladesh-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
Read more: Chinese envoy promotes Beijing's brand of international relations
In his written remarks delivered upon arrival he said as the new ambassador of China to Bangladesh, he would like to keep extensive contact with all Bangladeshi friends, familiarise himself with and respond to expectations of local people towards China-Bangladesh relations, continuously explore new growth points, and let the bilateral relations better benefit the people and the community at large.
"All happiness in life is the result of unswerving efforts. For a promising tomorrow of China-Bangladesh relations, let's trail the blaze, lead the way, and strive for the best," he said.
Arriving at the Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the ambassador received "warm hospitality" from protocol officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, and officials of the Chinese Embassy.
Read more: China to work with IORA for global development: Envoy
'This shocking ordeal and tragedy must not continue'
The UN refugee agency, has said some 190 desperate people are on the verge of perishing at sea, adrift somewhere between the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal as pleas to rescue and disembark them are continuously ignored.
Reports indicate those onboard have now remained at sea for a month in dire conditions with insufficient food or water, without any efforts by States in the region to help save human lives.
Many are women and children, with reports of up to 20 people dying on the unseaworthy vessel during the journey.
Read more: Trawler capsize: 29 Rohingya refugees among 33 detained en route to Malaysia
All states have a responsibility to rescue those on the boat and allow them to safely disembark in line with legal obligations and in the name of humanity, according to a media release received from Bangkok on Friday.
"This shocking ordeal and tragedy must not continue. These are human beings – men, women and children. We need to see the states in the region help save lives and not let people die," said Indrika Ratwatte, UNHCR director for Asia and the Pacific.
Since the first reports of the boat being sighted in Thai waters, the UNHCR has received unverified information of the vessel being spotted near Indonesia and then subsequently off the coast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. The boat's current location is reportedly once more back eastwards, in the Andaman sea north of Aceh.
The UNHCR repeatedly asked all countries in the region to make saving lives a priority. The agency had alerted the Indian marine rescue centre earlier this week, requesting immediate action to save lives and allow for disembarkation.
"It is devastating to learn that many people have already lost their lives, including children," said Ratwatte. "Sadly, this makes it one of the deadliest years in the seas in the region."
Read more: UNHCR raises concerns over Afghan refugees forced returns from Tajikistan
It is very hard for the UNHCR to verify this information, but if true this will take the number of dead and missing in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea to nearly 200 this year, the UN agency said.
This is a shocking number that represents around 10 percent of the estimated 2,000 people who have taken risky sea journeys in the region in 2022.
Depression over southeast Bay of Bengal intensifies
The depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal has moved west-northwards and intensified into a deep depression.
It was centred at about 1625 km southwest of Chattogram port, 1555 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 1580 km southwest of Mongla port and 1550 km southwest of Payra port around 6am on Wednesday, said the Met office bulletin.
It is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 48 kms of the deep depression centre is about 50 kph rising to 60 kph in gusts or squalls.
Also read: Bay depression likely to intensify into cyclonic storm by midnight
The sea will remain rough near the deep depression centre.
The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep distant cautionary signal number one hoisted.
All fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay and deep sea have been advised to come close to the coast, proceed with caution and not to venture into the deep sea.
5.2 magnitude earthquake felt in Dhaka, other areas
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake was felt in Dhaka and some other parts of the country this morning (05 December, 2022), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The earthquake was felt at 9:02 am, it said.
Read more: Strong quake shakes main Indonesia island; no tsunami alert
According to the USGS, the epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 10km in the Bay of Bengal. However, no casualties were reported so far.
Dredger capsized during Sitrang: Bodies of 8 workers recovered
Bodies of eight workers, who went missing after a dredger sank in the Bay of Bengal as Cyclone Sitrang hit the coastal districts Monday (October 24, 2022) night, were recovered from the Bay off the coast of Mirsarai in Chattogram on Tuesday.
Five of the deceased were identified as Mahmud Molla, Alamin, Imam Molla, Abul Bashar and Tarek. They all are from Patuakhali district.
Read Cyclone Sitrang kills at least 29 across Bangladesh
The sand lifting dredger (Saikat-2) was anchored, with the eight workers on board, in the sea around 1000 feet away from the embankment in Bashundhara area of the upazila and sank in the sea during the storm triggered by Cyclone Sitrang around 10 pm last night, Md Kabir Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mirsarai Police Station, said.
Mirsarai police and fire service divers recovered the bodies from the sunken dredger around 2 pm, the OC added.
Read Cyclone Sitrang aftermath: 10,000 houses in 419 unions damaged, says state minister
Dredger manager Rezaul Karim said six more dredgers were kept in the area adjacent to the embankment in Bashundhara area. “All the other workers managed to evacuate to a safe place following the cyclone, but the eight workers of the dredger Saikat-2 did not return.”
Cyclone Sitrang: Everything you need to know
Cyclone Sitrang formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal late on Sunday (October 23, 2022) evening. This is the first big storm that has developed in the Bay of Bengal in the month of October since 2018. Sitrang will track after Cyclone Asani, which formed in the Bay of Bengal in early May this year. It may cross the Bangladeshi coast by early Tuesday (October 25, 2022).
Which Bangladeshi districts are most vulnerable?
At least 19 Bangladeshi coastal districts are at the risk of being impacted. The Met office in Dhaka said in a bulletin on Monday morning that the cyclone may cross Barishal-Chattogram region by early Tuesday. Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and three others offshore islands could be worst hit.
Read: Inland water transport suspended as Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ approaches
Will only Bangladesh be affected?
No. Forecasts predict that the cyclone will make its way over Bangladesh and the coast of neighbouring West Bengal on October 25 (Tuesday). The projection indicates that Sundarbans, on both sides of Bangladesh and India (West Bengal) could be the worst-hit. Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly in West Bengal would see a moderate amount of rain on Monday and Tuesday. Southern Assam, east Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura might get moderate to heavy rainfall, according to India Meteorological Department.
How did Sitrang get its name and what does it mean?
It’s a Thai name (pronounced as Si-trang). Some say it means ‘leaf’.
Read: Cyclone Sitrang: Heavy rains continue to batter Bangladesh amid flood warning across coastal region
How cyclones are named?
According to the World Meteorological Organisation, more than one cyclone may form in the same area at once. So keeping track of them all, tropical storms are all given names. These storms are given names that are simple and memorable to ensure a better communication during a crisis. Usually, regional conventions give tropical cyclones their names.
There are four regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres and six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres across the globe. They offer warnings and name cyclones. Of the six, one is the India Meteorological Department. A cyclone with sustained surface winds of 62 kilometres per hour or more is given name when it originates in the northern Indian Ocean.
Read Cyclone Sitrang: Maritime ports asked to hoist local cautionary signal No 4
A stunning pearl is rising from Bay of Bengal: Chinese Ambassador
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Saturday said Bangladesh, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is forging ahead in spite of headwinds and currents.
"From my own three years’ experience in this country, I can tell that a stunning pearl is rising from the Bay of Bengal," he said, adding that over the past decade, both Bangladesh and China have impressed the world with their incredible achievements.
Ambassador Li said China will stay devoted to joint development with Bangladesh and the world at large.
"It is my deep belief that under the capable leadership of our respective state leaders, the friendly bond between Bangladesh and China will remain strong, for long and forever," he said.
Ambassador Li Jiming was speaking at a reception, celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center on Saturday night.
Planning Minister MA Mannan spoke as the chief guest, highlighting Bangladesh-China cooperation.
Political leaders, diplomats stationed in Dhaka, business leaders and foreign affairs experts also joined the event.
Ambassador Li said China vows to be an agent of world peace, contributor to global development, and defender of the international order.
"We advocate a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and endeavor to work with all to build a community with a shared future for mankind," he said, adding that they reject any cold-war mindset, group confrontation or unilateral sanctions.
The envoy said Bangladesh and China are indispensable strategic partners and friendly interactions between the two countries could be traced back to centuries.
In the 1950s, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited China twice, the Ambassador said.
Over the past decade, he said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following the steps of the late Bangabandhu, also visited China twice.
In 2016, President Xi paid a historic visit to Bangladesh, and the two leaders ushered in a new chapter in bilateral relations by uplifting it to Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, the envoy mentioned.
To take back the Bangladeshi students stranded during the pandemic, the Ambassador said they have restarted visa issuance, and will charter six flights designated for them, the first of which will take off on September 26.
Also read: Modi for transforming Bay of Bengal into a bridge of connectivity
Indian Coast Guard hands over 32 Bangladeshi fishermen
The Indian Coast Guard handed over 32 Bangladeshi fishermen who they rescued from the Bay of Bengal on August 19 and 20 after their boats capsized in rough weather.
The fishermen were provided food, water and medical aid, and generally taken care of by the Indian Coast Guard.
Read: Coast Guard rescues 44 stranded fishermen from Bay
The handover took place on Tuesday from Indian Coast Guard vessel Varad to Bangladesh Coast Guard ship Tajuddin.
Both Coast Guards work closely together as partners for search and rescue regularly, to the benefit of the maritime communities of both countries, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
250 fishermen go missing as 16 trawlers sink in Bay, 150 rescued in Patuakhali
Over 250 fishermen of Patuakhali remained missing as 16 fishing trawlers capsized in the Bay of Bengal amid inclement weather on Friday, said Naval police on Sunday.
About 150 fishermen of 18 trawlers that sank in the Bay near Kuakata in Patuakhali have been rescued so far, said Akhtar Morshed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kuakata Naval police outpost.
Locals along with a rescue trawler of fish wholesalers’ association reached the fish landing center with the rescued fishermen from Saturday evening to 11 pm on Sunday, the OC added.
Kuakata-Alipur Fish Depot Owners Association President Ansar Uddin Mollah said 13 fishermen were rescued from the Bay while 11 fishermen were rescued by the fishermen of Rayadighi of India. They are currently in the South Sundarban Fishermen and Fish Workers Union of India’s custody.
Read:34 fishermen go missing as 11 trawlers sink in Bay
And the remaining fishermen were rescued by the trawlers of the owner's association and local fishermen.
However, at least 126 fishermen of seven trawlers of Alipur are still missing, he added.
Raju Ahmed Raja, general secretary of Mohipur Fish Depot Owners Association, said least 130 fishermen of nine trawlers of Mohipur are still missing.
Besides, a fisherman Rafiq, 32, fell into the sea from a trawler on the way back to the shore from the deep sea and went missing. The owners of the capsized and missing trawlers are from Charfashion, Mahipur, Kalapara and Rangabali upazilas of Bhola, he added.
“Operation is on to rescue the missing fishermen and trawlers,” said the OC.