Tidal water floods 10 Patuakhali villages
People of 10 villages on the bank of the Ramnabad River near the Bay in Kalapara upazila under the district are passing their days amid sufferings due to flooding by saline water during the tides.
The flood control embankment on the river got damaged at four points last year, causing saline water to enter Charipara, Dhanjupara, Banatipara, Poshurbunia, Chowdhurypara, Munshipara, Nayakata, Nawapara, Majher Howla and Boropachnon villages in Kalapara upazila, especially during the full moon and new moon.
The situation remains tolerable during the dry season from November to mid-April but flooding by saline water turns serious in other times of the year, locals said.
"For the last four days, tidal surges have continued entering the villages through four damaged points of the flood control embankment. Agricultural lands, village roads, ponds, and in some cases houses have gone under water," said Md Tariqul Islam, a local resident.
Haesa Begum, 45, a housewife of Charipara village, said they have to wait for water to recede during the low tide to start cooking.
Local people are also facing crisis of drinking water.
Salinity hampers farming while cattle are facing fodder shortage as grazing land also went under water, said Abul Kalam, a local farmer.
Presence of students is now thin as roads have gone under water, said Abdul Aziz, assistant teacher for Charipara Government Primary School.
Thousands of people of these villagers formed a human chain in the upazila town demanding repair of the damaged embankment last year but the authorities concerned did not take any step in this regard, said Mir Tariquzzaman Tara, chairman for Lalua union parishad.
"Salinity due to entrance of tidal water through these damaged parts badly affects the agriculture. We sent letters several times to Water Development Board (WDB) to take necessary step to repair the embankment but in vain," he said.
Md Shahidul Islam, executive engineer of WDB in Kalapara, said they sent letters to the higher authorities seeking fund allocation to repair the embankment but no allocation has been made yet.
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