Salt Farmer Loses His Life While Protecting Salt during Cyclone Mokha
Tragic Incident Claims the Life of Ridwan, Leaving Behind a Bereaved Family
Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh - A devastating cyclone, named Mokha, recently wreaked havoc in the coastal region of Maheshkhali Upazila, taking the life of Ridwan, a dedicated salt farmer. The incident occurred on the afternoon of the cyclone's arrival, as Ridwan valiantly fought to safeguard the field salt in the Bagachtar Ghona area of Hoanak Union. Ridwan, a 35-year-old father of two, was the sole breadwinner for his family, and his untimely demise has left them in a state of profound grief and despair.
Ridwan, hailing from the Kalagazi village in Hoanak Union, had taken up salt farming as a means to support his family for six months each year, while working as a laborer during the remaining months. Tragically, the cyclone claimed his life while he was fulfilling his duties as a salt farmer, leaving behind his wife, Rabeya, and their two children.
Recalling the day of the incident, Rabeya tearfully shared her account of events. She had prepared a meal for Ridwan in the early hours of the morning and packed it in a tiffin carrier. He left home around 5 am, only to return shortly afterward and inform Rabeya that he would not need the rice as he would return by noon. After tenderly caressing their youngest child, Ridwan set off for the salt field with two workers accompanying him.
Ridwan had cultivated salt on approximately 240 acres of land, obtained through a barga agreement with Azizul Haque, a fellow resident of the village. According to the terms, Ridwan would receive half of the profits after deducting expenses. However, on the day Cyclone Mokha struck, a significant portion of the salt, approximately two and a half hundred maunds, was lost, with an estimated market value of around Tk 1 lakh 25 thousand.
Around 3 pm, growing increasingly worried as Ridwan had not returned from the salt field, Rabeya visited the house of Lokman, another worker at the salt field, in search of her husband. There, she found Lokman unwell and being cared for by his mother due to the cold and rain. Inquiring about Ridwan's whereabouts, Lokman mentioned that he was still working in the field. Overwhelmed with anxiety, Rabeya paced the streets until a young boy approached her after an hour, informing her that her husband had fallen into a drain in the salt field.
Salt farmers in the vicinity promptly carried Ridwan to the local market pharmacy and later to the health complex, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries. Rabeya, with tears streaming down her face, repeated the heartbreaking words, "Etim duyo poa loyere i ehn har hache jayyim," expressing her anguish over losing her husband while he was protecting the salt.
Ridwan was laid to rest in a funeral held at the local Eidgah at 10 am on Monday. In an act of generosity, the local Member of Parliament, along with two chairmen from the Union Parishad and the Salt Traders Association, provided financial assistance of Tk 20,000 to Ridwan's grieving family. However, no government aid has been received thus far.
Azizul Haque, the owner of the salt field, expressed his condolences and pledged to support Ridwan's family financially in their time of need. The loss of Ridwan's life during Cyclone Mokha, which also claimed the lives of three other salt farmers in Maheshkhali, has drawn attention to the risks faced by salt farmers while working in extreme cold and windy conditions.
Mir Kasem Chowdhury, the Chairman of Huanak Union Parishad, revealed that approximately 100 salt farmers had ventured out to safeguard the salt during the cyclone. Holes were dug in the ground, covered with plastic sheets, and topped with soil to protect the salt from rain. Unfortunately, six to seven farmers fell ill due to the adverse weather conditions, and three of them tragically lost their lives.
Yachin, the UNO of Maheshkhali, emphasized that although the salt farmers died while working in the field, their deaths were not directly caused by natural disasters. The list of affected families has been forwarded to the district administration for potential financial assistance, and the local authorities have committed to extending support to these grieving families if allocated.
The tragic loss of Ridwan's life highlights the dedication and sacrifices made by salt farmers in protecting their livelihoods. As the community mourns this devastating incident, there is a pressing need for increased awareness and support for those working in vulnerable occupations affected by adverse weather conditions.
Note: The reported quotes have been translated from Bengali.
https://bangla.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/accident-fire/news-479356
