100 villages flooded as dykes in Patuakhali, Barguna collapse
Over 100 villages in Patuakhali and Barguna districts have been flooded following collapse of the flood control dykes in the last two days.
Locals and Water Development Board sources said high tide under the impact of full moon led to the collapse of the dykes in nine upazilas of the two districts.
Of the flood-hit villages, 25 are in Kalapara, five in Dumki, 10 each in Patuakhali Sadar, Baufal and Galachipa upazilas of Patuakhali district; 20 in Taltoli, 25 in Amtali, five each in Bamna and Barguna Sadar upazilas of Barguna district.
In Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali, a newly built alternative dyke along the Ramnabad River bank in Charipara area was washed away by tidal surge on Sunday.
Thousands acres of agricultural land in 13 villages have gone under saline water. The worst affected villages are Charipara, Nayakata, Chowdhurypara, Nowapara, munshipara, Pasuribunia, Chotopachnon and Baropachnon
The alternative dyke was built only two months ago at a cost of Tk 13 crore, a source in Kalapara WDB said.
Due to heavy rainfall in the last two days and the impact of full moon, water levels in different rivers and canals in the district have marked a sharp rise.
Many areas in Patuakhali town, including Katpatti, Chawkbazar, Charpara, Nutan Bazar, Women's College Road, Puran Bazar,
Shimulbagh, Muslimpara, Adalatpara, Nawabpara, Centre Para and launchghat area, got flooded yesterday as water entered the areas, overflowing the flood control dyke and through sluice gates.
Patuakhali Municipality Mayor Dr Md Shafiqul Islam alleged that tidal water entered the town as construction work of the town protection dyke was not done properly. “We asked the officials of the Water Development Board to take immediate measures to save the town,” the mayor said.
Tariquzzaman Tara, chairman of Lalua Union Parishad, said the flood victims have taken shelter on nearby dyke. They are facing crises of food and safe drinking water.
Away in Pirojpur, all the villages under different unions on both sides of Kawcha, Sandha, Kaliganga and Baleshwar rivers have been inundated as water levels in the rivers marked a rise in the last two days due to the impact of full moon.
The affected unions are Sankarpasha, Kawlakhali and Sariktawla unions in Pirojpur Sadar upazila; Parerhat, Pattashi and Balipara unions in Zianagar upazila; Kawkhali, Amrajhuri and Chirapara unions in Kawkhali upazila; Telekhali union in Bhandaria upazila; Baromachhua, Sapleza and Tushkhali unions in Mathbaria upazila; Malikhali, Dewlbari Dobra and Kawlerdoaniya unions in Nazirpur upazila. Sarupkathi municipality in Nesarabad upazila has gone under water, reports our correspondent.
While visiting Togra village along the Kawcha River in Zianagar upazila, this correspondent found that all the dwelling houses at the village have been submerged due to collapse of a dyke in the area.
“The situation may worsen as Kawcha River continues to swell,” said Md Abdul Latif, a villager of Togra village.
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