Cyclone Roanu wreaks havoc on roads, bridges
Cyclone Roanu, which hit the southern region on May 21, has caused serious damage to infrastructure in six districts of Barisal division.
At least 351.48 kilometres of roadway, 59 bridges and seven buildings belonging to the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) were badly damaged. LGED officials estimate the cost to repair their buildings alone to be Tk. 196.62 crore.
The cyclone-damaged infrastructure includes roadway and bridges in Patuakhali, Barguna, Pirojpur and Jhalakathi, as well as three buildings and 17 kilometres of roadway in Barisal. Barguna was particularly badly affected, with 48 bridges damaged.
The primary report on infrastructure damage has already been sent to the higher authorities, says Jamal Uddin, an executive engineer in LGED's Barisal office.
"Most of the damage was in rural areas, to roads affected by the cyclone caused tidal surge. Steps to repair these damaged roads and bridges will be taken after funding is allocated by our higher authorities," said Abu Saleh Md Hanif, the executive engineer of Patuakhali LGED.
The natural disaster also damaged over 100 brick kilns in Patuakhali district.
Abdul Maleque, the manager of Fahim Brick Kiln at Itbaria village in Barisal Sadar upazila, says a total of four lakhs raw bricks in the kiln were destroyed due to the heavy rainfall which accompanied cyclone Roanu.
Over Tk 20 crore damage has been reported in the around 100 kilns in the eight upazilas of Patuakhali, as raw bricks were ruined and rainwater deluged the fireplaces, says Md Shafiqur Rahman, president of the Brick Kiln Owners Association in the district.
Several thousands of workers are involved in the industry, he says, adding that the government should provide help to the sector in recognition of its importance to national development.
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