Villages under erosion threat as dykes too weak

Devastating cyclone Sidr that hit the southern districts of the country, including Pirojpur, on November 15 in 2007, had damaged unlimited properties and caused loss of many lives as well.

Local people alleged that the number of loss had increased in the district because of not having enough flood control embankments along the rivers.

Riverside people have been demanding construction of embankments since the cyclone hit the coastal areas over 11 years ago.

After a long wait of over 11 years, repair work of 23 kilometre embankments under Pirojpur Sadar, Indurkani, Bhandaria and Kawkhali upazilas started last year, Pirojpur Water Development Board (WDB) Executive Engineer Sayeed Ahammad said. 

WDB started the construction work at a cost of Tk 13.61 crore last year and expected to complete the work by June this year.

Of the 23 kilometre embankments, 11 kilometre is in Indurkani upazila, which is encircled by three rivers -- Kacha, Baleshwar and Panguchi.

Meanwhile, locals alleged that the newly constructed embankment will bring no benefit to the riverside people as it is being built with riverside soil, which will surely wash away in flood or tidal surges.

“Every time a strong wave of the Kacha river hit the shore, it washes away some soil of the newly constructed dyke,” Enayet Hossain of Togra village in Indurkani upazila said.

Besides, a huge quantity of aquatic plants have also been damaged by excavators during construction of the embankment, using excavator machines, locals alleged.

Shamim Howlader, another resident of the village, said strong waves of the river directly hit the embankment and wash away its soil.

“The embankment has been constructed in such a way that it cannot be used for even a walk,” another villager Sanaullah said.

If geo textile bags are dumped along the embankments, it will last long, Engineer Sayeed said, adding that they will send proposal to the higher authorities in this regard.

According to WDB, there are a total of 230 kilometre embankments in seven upazilas of the district. Of the length, a stretch  of 51 kilometres is in Indurkani upazila.