Thousands suffer as road communication snapped

Around 10 thousand people from several area passing hard days as their movement is badly hampered following earth collapse at some 60 places on Chhotolekha Bazar-Bobartola road and Uttar Dimai-Artoki road in Barlekha upazila under the district early Sunday.

The affected areas of Gagantila, Madhya Gandhai, Dakkhin Gandhai, Pashchim Gandhai, Madhya Tepucherra, Islampur, Saitghori, Koicherra, Bobartol and Gandai punjee villages are kilometres away from the Barlekha upazila headquarters.

The roads running through the hills are basically meant for walk. However, people in the backward area use Chander Gari, a locally assembled motorised three-wheeler, for movement and carrying of goods.

As no vehicles can ply the two roads due to the land collapse, local people have to walk with much difficulty in the hill areas, especially when they have to go to markets for essential commodities.

"Local people depend on cultivation of jackfruit, lemon, banana and betel leaf for living. But now we cannot carry these products to Barlekha upazila Sadar Bazar as Chander Gari cannot move on the collapsed roads," said farmer Monir Mia, at Dimai Bazar, a small market about eight kilometres away from his village.

"We cannot move anywhere due to landslide. I could not even buy new dresses for my kids ahead of Eid. I don't know how I will buy good food on the occasion of the festival," said Mizan Uddin of Dakkhin Gandai village.

Shahab Uddin, chairman of Dakkhin Shahbazpur union parishad, said blocking the two roads due to landslides in the area causes immense sufferings for nearly 10,000 people of ten villages, including one inhabited by Khasi people.

"It will need one month to repair the two roads and another one month to make those usable for the vehicles like Chander Gari. I told the local lawmaker and the UNO of the matter," he added.