Affected people await rehabilitation
The recent floods caused extensive damage to agriculture, dwellings and infrastructure in Sundarganj upazila while rehabilitation work is yet to start after the recession of floodwater.
A large number of farmers cannot prepare their fields for Aman cultivation due to deposition of sand and garbage during the floods.
Those who are trying to start farming have to count additional cost for removing the garbage, said local farmers.
Nur-un-Nabi Sarker, project implementation officer of Sundarganj, said the recent floods caused an estimated loss of Tk 41 crore 47 lakh 13 thousand 550 in the upazila.
It includes Tk 33 crore 59 lakh 78 thousand 550 in rural infrastructures like roads, bridges, culverts and cluster villages, Tk 4 crore 83 lakh in agriculture, Tk 1.80 crore in roads, bridges and culverts under Local Government Engineering Department, Tk 50 lakh of secondary education department, Tk 18 lakh of primary education department, Tk 43 lakh of fisheries department, and Tk 13.35 lakh of livestock department.
“I took shelter on the embankment after the flood washed away my two huts used for dwelling. The water has receded but I am still staying here as I can’t rebuild my home due to hardship,” said Afsar Ali, a farm labourer in Belka of Sundarganj.
“My three bighas of land got covered with a thick layer of sand as surging water inundated the area after breaches in the embankment. Normally it would take at least two years for the land to regain fertility,” said Solaiman, a small farmer of Belka.
Many of the croplands in char areas are still under knee-deep water and so, Aman farming there still remains uncertain, said Faridul of the same area.
Farmer Rafiqul Islam of Kapasia union said they are worried about the next Aman cultivation as the three-week-long floods damaged seedbeds in large areas.
Road communications are still in disarray as floods damaged roads, culverts and bridges at different places.
“Without special allocation from the government, it would be difficult to renovate damaged roads and culverts in the area. Besides, many of the flood-affected people need financial help for rebuilding their damaged houses and removing sand from croplands,” said Nafiul Islam Jimy, chairman of Haripur union parishad.
Md Solaiman Ali, upazila nirbahi officer of Sundarganj, said a list with estimated damage in flood affected areas have been sent to respective ministries, urging for immediate allocation to start rehabilitation work as early as possible.
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