Dhaka – Tidal surges in coastal rivers influenced by moon have breached open embankments and flooded a good number of villages in Bhola and Khulna districts over the last few days, UNB news agency reported.
In Bhola, at least 20 villages of Tajumuddin, Manpura and the Sadar upazilas of the district were inundated due to the tidal surges of the Meghna River, leaving around 50,000 people marooned.Locals alleged the water flow of the Meghna River has been inundating the low-lying areas through a six-kilometre-long part of an embankment from Purba Elisha to Rajapur Union that was damaged during Cyclone Roanu three months ago.
At least four kilometres of the embankment were damaged during the Cyclone Roanu and later the broken part was extended as the authorities concerned are yet to take any steps to repair it.
Most of the houses, educational institutions, and lands went under water due to the tidal surge, forcing the residents of the area to live in misery under the open sky.
The flood-affected people have been experiencing scarcity of food and pure drinking water due to the unexpected flood.
Meanwhile, the district administration has already distributed 15 tonnes of rice and Tk 10,000 among the 700 flood-affected families, said Deputy Commissioner M Selim Uddin.
Besides, leaders and activists of the district unit of Awami League distributed 20 kilograms of rice each among 1,000 people.
Besides, 30,000 thousands people have been marooned as the char (a shoal emerged from the riverbed) areas outside the embankment have been flooded due to the tidal surge.
The Deputy Assistant Director of Water Development Board of the district Abul Kalam said they have already informed the higher authorities to repair the dam.
In Barisal, the low-lying areas in and around the city have been submerged as the water of Kirtankhola River was flowing eight centimeters over the danger line due to the onrush of water and incessant rainfall, said Engineer Ramjan Ali of Barisal WDB.
Several parts of the city including Zianagar, Rupatali, Palashpur, Chandmari, Kashipur, Raypasha-Korapur, Mohammedpur have gone under water, leaving thousands of people marooned.
Besides, the river ports and the only sea port of the district have been advised to lower local signal numbers one and three respectively, said Milon Hawladar, observer of Barisal Met Office.
Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at a few places over the district in next 24 hours, Met Office also reported.
In Khulna, about 500 houses have gone under water as some parts of an embankment in Dighalia upazila were eroded by tidal surges of the Bhairab and Atai rivers.
Local sources said the houses as well as low-lying crop fields and fish enclosures at Bhuipara, Malopara, Kantaban, Dakkhin Chandnimahal areas and other villages have been submerged as the embankment fell apart due to the strong tidal surge and heavy rainfall over the last few days.
Several thousand people in those villages have been stranded and they are facing crisis of drinking water.
Chairman of Sonahati union parishad Gazi Ziaur Rahman said he has already visited the erosion and flood affected areas and informed the local member of parliament about the situation.
Upazila nirbahi officer of Dighalia upazila Md Abdur Rahman said the government will take measures for relief distribution in the affected area after making a list of the affected people.
