Tidal surges in Patuakhali badly damage road links
Frequent tidal surges have badly affected internal communication system in the district, much to the sufferings of people, especially school and college goers.
People of at least 100 villages in four upazilas of the district are passing their days amid serious problem as huge tidal surges during the full moon and the new moon regularly inundate their houses.
Over 500 km village roads, including around 100 km of paved roads, got destroyed under the impact of tidal surges during the last four months, said sources of Water Development Board.
Presence in educational institutions decreased due to the situation.
Md Jahirul Islam, headmaster of Charipara Government Primary School in Kalapara upazila, said at least one-third of about 200 students cannot come to school as village roads collapsed due to tidal surges.
"I couldn't cook food for my family of six for last five days as my house including the hearth is flooded by the tidal surge that entered through the collapsed embankment," said Monoara Begum, 45, of Balaikathi village near the Shehakathi River in Patuakhali Sadar upazila.
Hanif Howlader of the same village said over 500 metres of the lone road connecting the upazila headquarters also collapsed into the river in mid-August this year.
Immediate help including food support from the government is needed to mitigate sufferings of the affected people, said Altaf Hossain Shah Alam, chairman of the local union parishad.
Early steps should also be taken to repair the damaged roads to resume communication, he said.
Md Shafi Uddin, acting executive engineer for Patuakhali Water Development Board, said they have already informed the higher authorities of the matter, seeking emergency allocation for repairing village roads and flood control embankments.
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