Enclosures on canals trigger waterlogging in a village
Waterlogging caused by hindrance to flow of water in three canals of Kalikapur area of Patuakhali town, following construction of embankments across the canals, has become a nuisance for locals. Bottom, Majhgram canal flowing through Patuakhali town gets divided into a number of pond-like water bodies as several locals made earthen roads across the canal in front of their houses. Photo: STAR
Over 10,000 people of Pashchim Kalikapur in Patuakhali municipality area have been suffering due to month-long waterlogging as influential grabbers have virtually killed three canals by building over 100 enclosures on them to link their houses to the nearby roads. Majhgram and Nandokani canals linking Lawkathi River and Kurir canal linking Hetalia canal play important role to ensure smooth water flow in Pashchim Kalikapur (Ward No 9 under Patuakhali municipality) area. To control water flow, the municipality authorities built three culverts on these canals several years ago. But the influential locals grabbed much of these canals and built over 100 enclosures, stopping water flow in the canals. As rainwater cannot flow through the canals, most of the houses in the area have remained flooded for over a month, said Abdus Sobhan Mridha, former councillor in the area. Shahidul Islam, a staff at the survey office in Barisal, occupied a portion (0.21 acres) of Majhgram canal in front of Rural Electrification Board office. He has already built a boundary wall there as he has a plan to set up a clinic there, locals said. This correspondent tried several times to communicate with Shahidul Islam but he did not receive phone calls. One Bacchu Talukder, who identified himself as supervisor of Shahidul, declined to make any comment over the matter. "Many people illegally built establishments on both sides of these canals. Municipality authorities should take immediate step to remove all illegal structures from these canals in the interest of local people," said Gias Uddin, a local resident. Md Jahid Sikder, councillor of ward No 9 of Patuakhali municipality, said he has already submitted written complaint to the municipality authorities to take step to remove all structures from the canals. When contacted, Dr Shafiqul Islam, mayor of Patuakhali municipality, said, "We will take immediate step to remove all illegal structures from the canals with the help of district administration."
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