Cyclone Mocha: 3 salt farmers die in Moheshkhali

Three salt farmers have died while trying to save salt from washing away in the rain as the cyclonic storm Mocha lashed coastal areas on Sunday.

The deceased are - Ridowan, 35, Muhammad Nesar, 32, and Md Ansar. They all hailed from Hoanak Union of Moheshkhali Upazila, Union Parishad Chairman Mir Kashem Chowdhury confirmed The Daily Samakal.

According to locals, around 40-50 workers went to harvest salt from the fields at around 10am on Sunday (May 14). After working in the rain for a long time, 6-7 of them fell ill and were taken to Moheshkhali Upazila Health Complex. Ridowan was pronounced dead by the duty doctor around 6pm.

Muhammad Nesar's body was found floating in the water at around 10:30pm on the same day. Md Ansar's body was retrieved from the salt fields at around 11:30pm.

The locals also said that around 10-15 salt farmers from various villages of Hoanak Union were yet to come back home.

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer of Moheshkhali Dr Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque said the three salt farmers died from cold-related illnesses.