Build embankments first, Sidr victims in Sharankhola demand

Rendered homeless by cyclone Sidr on November 15 in 2007, a large number of people are still living subhuman life in makeshift structures in different areas of Bagerhat district. The photo was taken from Rayenda Madhyapara in Sharankhola upazila. Photo: STAR

Victims of cyclone Sidr in Southkhali union under Sharankhola upazila in greater Khulna have demanded construction of sustainable embankments and arrangement for their returning to houses that were destroyed during he natural calamity.
The government should allocate sufficient fund to construct and reconstruct sustainable embankments first to save the people from natural disaster like cyclone and tidal surges in future, speakers said at a condolence meeting at Southkhali Primary School ground on Sunday.
A large number of people including relatives of those killed by the cyclone and tidal surge gathered at the meeting marking the second anniversary of Sidr that battered southern districts on the night of November 15 in 2007.
According to unofficial sources, Sidr claimed over a thousand lives in Southkhali union under Sharankhola upazila while thousands of families in the area near the Baleshwar River were rendered homeless by tidal surges.
Speakers at the condolence meeting demanded erection of a memorial at Southkhali union.
Construction of sustainable embankments is very much needed to save people near Baleshwar River from tidal surges.
Many Sidr-hit people are still living miserable life under the open sky and in makeshift camps amid acute scarcity of food and safe drinking water.
A large number of people have already left native villages in search of jobs, said Alamgir Hossain of Rayenda under Sharankhola upazila, who lost his house during the Sidr.
"Some NGOs traded on our miseries instead of doing anything to mitigate our sufferings," said Tajinur Begum who lost her minor son during the Sidr.
Farida Begum, who lost her daughter, also echoed the same.
Eager to get coverage in the media, people of a few NGOs visited some affected areas and talked to victims but they did not take any positive move to redress sufferings of the affected people, said Anwar Hossain Panchayet, former chairman of Southkhali union.
A few NGOs misappropriated funds allocated for implementation of rehabilitation projects, he alleged.
Sharankhola Upazila Chairman Kamaluddin Akand was present as chief guest at the meeting presided over by acting chairman of Southkhali union Harun-ar-Rashid,
Among others, Organising Secretary of Sharankhola upazila Awami League Rafiqul Islam Kalam, Prof Alamgir Hossain of Sharankhola College, BNP leader Shahjahan Howlader, Sharankhola Press Club President Babul Das addressed.
The condolence meeting was followed by a milad mahfil and offering of Fateha at the graves of Sidr vicitms.