SUNAMGANJ: Water Resources Minister Anwar Hossain Manju said dams will be constructed within the next three months in a bid to protect crops from early flashflood in Sunamganj haor, reports UNB.

Addressing a discussion on the latest state of ongoing projects of Water Development Board (WDB) in haor areas, the minister on Friday night at Sunamganj Circuit House said “Whole ministry will be moved to Sunamganj from Dhaka for next three months for completion of the construction of crops protection dams in that region in a bid to tackle any repeat of early flash floods”.

He warned officials’ concerned that they would have to leave their offices if they fail in facing the flashflood challenges. The minister further said there is no manpower crisis in the Water Development Board as manpower has been recruited for the construction of dam in haor areas.

In a bid to speedy construction of the dams, officials of the ministry will visit haor areas three times in the next three months and have to stay there for 10/15 days, Manju added.

Addressing the discussion, Dr Jafar Ahmed Khan, senior secretary of the ministry, said stern actions had been taken against those who were involved in irregularities in the construction of dam last year. “A total of 815 Project Implementation Committee (PIC) has been formed for smooth construction of dam in bid to protect crops in haor areas. Of those, 131 PIC have started their works.

The government has allocated Tk 100 crore for the construction of dams under 302 projects”, the secretary added.

With Sumanganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Amran Hossian in the chair, the programme was also addressed by Additional Secretary of the ministry Md Yusuf, district Awami League President and former MP Matiur Rahman, South Sunamganj Upazila Parishad Chairman Abul Kalam and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Begum Israt Jahan.