Khulna: Around 42,000 people of 17 villages under Uttar and Dakhhin Bedkashi unions in Koyra upazila are passing their days in panic as erosion by the Shakbaria and Kabadak rivers has taken a serious turn, reports UNB.
The villagers fear that the unions will get disconnected from the upazila headquarters soon and turn into an island as the embankment that links the unions to the upazila headquarters will go into gorges of the rivers if the local administration does not take any immediate step to check the erosion.
Although local politicians and representatives of upazila administration were informed about the current condition of the unions, no action has been taken yet, alleged the villagers.
Contacted, Moshiur Rahman, regional officer of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), said they have nothing to do right now as there is no government allocation to take any project in this
regard.
Harunur Rashid, a resident of Shakbari village, said Wapda town protection embankment at Gabbunia village is used as a road, and this the only way to communicate with the upazila headquarters and other areas.
"But, now this road also stands threatened following the worsening riverbank erosion," he added.
Local MP advocate Sheikh Nurul Haque said he raised the issue at the Jatiya Sangsad in addition to bringing it to the notice of the higher BWDB officials.
He expects that a strong and sustainable dam will be built soon to save the people of the areas.
JM Moshin Reza, former chairman of Koyra upazila parishad and president of Koyra upazila Awami League, said the embankment that connects the unions with the upazila headquarters was earlier repaired by local volunteers.
UP members Harsit Mandal and Nilima Chakraborty said 13 villages of Dakkhin Bedkashi union and four villages of Uttar Bedkashi had turned into an island in 1970 due to the constant riverbank erosion. Later, an embankment on the rivers was built in 1974. Now, the embankment is facing a serious threat due to the erosion by the two rivers.
Meanwhile, in Sunamganj several more villages of Jagannathpur upazila in the district were inundated due to the overflow of water in Kushiara River in last
week.
Flood water entered into several villages of different unions including Raniganj, Pailagaon and Asharkandi causing sufferings to people.
Hundreds of families of these areas, living near the bank of the river, were found being suffered due to the waterlogging.
Moshajan, Sonatola, New Kosba and Khanpur villages of Pailgaon union and Fechhi Bazar of Asharkandi union became flooded.
Not only the houses and roads of the villages but also schools got the hit of the flood. Classes and regular activities are on the verge of being halted in several schools including, Jalalpur Quasimul Ulum Madrasah, Sonatola Primary School, Alipur Primary School, Raniganj High School due to the flood.
Poultry and fish farmers are facing huge loss as the fishes from the farms washed away in the flood water. On the other hand, animal food crisis also became a serious problem for the farmers.
Hazi Ekhlasur Rahman, a fish farmer of Gandharbpur told UNB that he has to count loss of about Tk One lakh due to this flood.
As well as shortage of pure drinking water supply has created the risk of several flood related diseases including diarrhea among the locals especially children.
Meanwhile, locals alleged that no government assistance was provided yet.
The flood situation might be improved if no more rain occurs in the next week, the locals expressed their hope.
The river erosion is causing trouble to the locals, especially to those living at the bank of the river, Jagannathpur upazila Chairman Alhajj Ataur Rahman said.
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Editor : M. Shamsur Rahman
Published by the Editor on behalf of Independent Publications Limited at Media Printers, 446/H, Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1215.
Editorial, News & Commercial Offices : Beximco Media Complex, 149-150 Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh. GPO Box No. 934, Dhaka-1000.
Editor : M. Shamsur Rahman
Published by the Editor on behalf of Independent Publications Limited at Media Printers, 446/H, Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1215.
Editorial, News & Commercial Offices : Beximco Media Complex, 149-150 Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh. GPO Box No. 934, Dhaka-1000.