Storm-hit people in Lalmonirhat living under open sky
They are yet to receive any relief from district administration
Like thousands of victims of the nor'wester that battered large areas of Sadar, Aditmari and Hatibandha upazilas under Lalmonirhat district on April 18, this woman is still passing days amid sufferings under the open sky. The photo was taken from Durgapur village in Aditmari upazila on Friday noon.Photo: STAR
Storm-hit people in three upazilas are living under the open sky, as they are yet to get any relief from the any quarters. At least 30,871 people of 7,457 families have been made homeless by the tornado that lashed 120 villages of Sadar, Aditmari and Hatibandha upazilas on April 18. Besides damaging houses and crops, the storm uprooted many trees. Moslema Bewa of Shatibari village under Aditmari upazila said “My two tin-shed houses have been blown away by tornado. Now I along with my three other family members have no shelter”. "We have no means to build new houses as we lived from hand to mouth", she added. Mozidul Islam, another victim of the same village, said his thatched hut was damaged by tornado. “I am yet to receive any help from government or NGO to rebuild my house,” he said. Yakub Ali of Goddimari village under Hatibandha upazila said “All of my three houses have been blown away by tornado. Now my family members have taken shelter at a relative's house.” Tobiul Islam, a farmer of Karnopur village under Sadar upazila, said the tornado damaged his maize crops on four bighas of land. “Many other farmers like me have lost crops. We have no means to recover the loss” he added. The deputy director of the district's Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Abdul Mozid said that the tornado damaged maize on 120 bighas, paddy on 50 bighas and other crops on 80 bighas. “We have prepared a list of victims. My office has already sent a letter to the higher authorities seeking help in this regard,” he said. Deputy commissioner (DC) of Lalmonirhat Mokhlesar Rahman Sarker told this correspondent that his office immediately sanctioned 20 tonnes of rice from general relief (GR) budget for distribution among the tornado-hit people. “I have also asked the district relief and rehabilitation officer (DRRO) for requesting the higher authorities for more relief for the victims,” the DC added.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments