Joy of Eid eludes Moulvibazar flood victims
The joy of Eid will bring no smile this year for many flood affected victims in Kulaura and Kamalganj upazilas of the district, who took shelter on the flood protection embankment along the Monu river for the last three days.
While visiting the area yesterday this correspondent saw a large number of tinroofs scattered on Nasirganj-Itarghat embankment under Sharifpur union and Tilagaon-Asroygram embankment under Tilagaon union along the Monu river.
Some of the flood victims kept their belongings piled inside their tiny rooms, some were planning to cook using firewood stove while some were collecting water and firewood.
"I along with my family took shelter on the embankment about three days ago as the sudden flood destroyed my homestead. All our Eid preparation, including our son's new dress was washed away in the recent flood,” Monjur Ahmed, 54, of Itarghat area in Kulaura upazila said.
"As we do not have the ability to celebrate the festival, Eid is meaningless to us," Shanu Mia, 60, of the area said.
Sixty-two-year-old Sujana Bibi, who took shelter on Asroygram embankment along with her six-member family, said she could not complete her Fazr prayer after she heard a loud sound of a dam collapsing.
Sharifpur Union Parishad member Md Harun Mia said about 200 families of Sariarghat, Monorpur, Kalarairchar, Itarghat, Tilokpur, Palkicherra villages left their houses and took shelter on the embankment as their houses went under knee deep water.
Another flood victim Asma Begum in Itarghat area said they were living on the risky dam as they do not have any alternatives.
Kulaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Chowdhury Mohammad Golam Rabbi said around 12,000 inhabitants belonging to nearly 2,500 families living at 60 villages under the upazila have been affected by the recent flood and had to take shelter on the embankments.
Meanwhile, Kamalganj UNO Mohammad Mahmudul Huq said around 3,200 families of nearly 30 villages in the upazila have been affected by the flash flood.
Moulvibazar Water Development Board (WDB) Executive Engineer Partho Shankar Chakraborty said Monu was flowing 125 centimetres above the danger level near Monu Railway Bridge point in Kulaura upazila.
The flood will worsen if the rainfall continues, said the official.
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