Frequent Flooding by Tidal Surges
Hapless Patuakhali people cry for a way out
Along with the surrounding areas, Dakkhin Chandukhali Registered Primary School at Chandukhali village in Itbaria union under Patuakhali Sadar upazila regularly gets flooded by high tide, especially during the full moon and the new moon. A 1.5 kilometre embankment meant for protection of four villages in the area collapsed two years ago. Photo: STAR
Frequent flooding by tidal surges, especially during the full moon and the new moon, causes untold sufferings to people of different areas in seven upazilas under the district. Left without any repair for long, breached portions of protection embankments adds to the situation. A 1.5 km flood control embankment collapsed two years ago, making people of South Chandukhali, Katakhali, Baniakathee and Pangashia villages in Itbaria union under Patuakhali Sadar upazila victim of regular flooding. Cultivation of about 10,000 acres of agricultural land in the four villages is badly affected as saline water floods the areas. Schooling of about 2,000 students of four primary schools and a high school in the area is also hampered as the institutions are often closed due to flooding during high tides. "We have to suspend the classes during high tide as water enters classrooms and academic activities are greatly hampered for this reason, said Sonia Sultana, headmistress of Dakkhin Chandukhali Registered Primary School. "Our school breaks up during high tide and we have to face great suffering as our schoolrooms and roads go under water, said Md Abbas Uddin, a class five student of the school. "We cannot cook food during high tide as tidal water enters most houses," said Rajia Sultana, a housewife of Chandukhali village. Inundation by saline water, especially during the rainy season, hampers agriculture. "We cannot cultivate our land in time due to flooding by saline water that enters through damaged parts of the embankment. And so, we are becoming poor day by day," said Abdul Jalil, a farmer. Authorities should take early step to repair the embankments to protect us from tidal surges, said Samim Mia, local. Mozammel Haque Jamaddar, chairman of Itbaria union parishad, said they sent several letters to the higher authorities concerned to take step for repair of the damaged parts of the flood control embankment but to no effect. When contacted, Md Delwar Hossain, executive engineer for WDB (Water Development Board), said, "We already sent a proposal to the higher authority to repair the embankment and we are hopeful of repairing it by next year." Meanwhile, over 300-foot area of a newly built flood control embankment in Gazir canal area of Lalua union under Kalapara upazila collapsed by tidal surge on Monday, locals said, adding that more 500-foot area is under threat.
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