Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :
During the current monsoon season, several tourists have visited in haor areas. Domestic tourists have increased a lot in the last decade. Social media have definitely played a big role in this regard. People now prefer to travel instead of spending holidays at home, because of which people flock to the tourist centers starting from weekly closures to Eid and festival holidays.
But how much security and service quality assurance there? Among these, some unexpected incidents in Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet created criticism across the country. But more tragic is the loss of life while traveling. We are seeing such loss of life in Haor area of Kishoreganj. This is very sad.
Many people are dying due to the lack of safe tourism system in the wide areas of Kishoreganj. Many of whom are drowning in water. Most of the deaths are due to carelessness and drowning .
According to sources of Fire Service and Administration and Police, at least 21 people including children and tourists have died in the last 80 days after the arrival of new water in Hoar areas during monsoon. Out of which one youth died last week and the condition of others are critical.
In 2020 and 2021, 22 people drowned in Haor. In just two and a half months this year, the record of deaths of the last two years has been reached.
Itna, Mithamin, Ashtagram, Karimganj ‘s Balikhala, Marichkhali, Nikli which are located in the upazilas of Kishoreganj, are visited by tourists almost throughout the year. Tourists flock during monsoon season holidays. There is danger because of not knowing how to swim, even if you know how to swim, going down to bathe is becoming uncertain because of the current. It also took a long time to find the body. Many people go out in groups in boats. There have also been cases of death due to careless falls from the boat while celebrating.
The issue of unawareness of tourists is gaining importance here. Fire Service & Civil Defence in Kishoreganj advises to wear life jacket when going for a walk. We feel that tourism groups and institutions as well as owners or operators of tourist boats should be warned that any tourist accompanying them should not enter the water.
0ver 10 warning masses of the District Administration to avoid accidents in haor travel.
DC in Kishoreganj Mohammad Shamim Alam said, along with installation of warning signboards at dangerous places in Hoar strict orders have been issued regarding boat trips and bathing in water. We want to trust him in this regard. We don’t want any more tourists to die.”
