3 villages flooded as dyke collapses in Kalapara

Collapse of the embankment at Nizampur in Kalapara upazila under Patuakhali district on Friday flooded three villages inhabited by around 10 thousand people and affected nearby agricultural lands with saline water. PHOTO: STAR

Around 10,000 people of Nizampur, Eusufpur and Puratan Mohipur villages in Kalapara upazila under the district are passing days amid sufferings as two to three feet water flooded the area following collapse of a flood control embankment under the impact of tidal surge on Friday.
"Over 200 feet area of the embankment collapsed at Nizampur, letting tidal water enter to the three villages. Local farmers are facing uncertainty about aman paddy cultivation as vast agricultural lands have gone under saline water," said Abdul Maleq Akhond, chairman for Mohipur union parishad.
"The authorities concerned should take immediate step to repair the damaged embankment to prevent further damage. Water Development Board (WDB) repaired the embankment last year but it has collapsed due to low quality work," he said.
Despite several attempts, this correspondent failed to communicate with Safi Uddin, executive engineer for Kalapara WDB, as he did not receive his cell phone.
Meanwhile, vehicular movement on different roads of Patuakhali and Barguna districts was badly disturbed during the last two days as gangways of Lubukhali ferry ghat on Patuakhali-Barisal road, Galachipa ferry ghat on Patuakhali-Galachipa road, Hazipur ferry ghat on Patuakhali-Kuakata road, Baichutki ferry ghat on Barguna-Kakchira road went under water during high tides.
Thousands of passengers suffered a lot due to the situation.