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Even after 27 days of Amphan violence, the tide is still flowing in the backyard of Satkhira coast of Bangladesh.
Tarikul Islam Lavlu, Bangladesh.
Due to the inability to repair the embankment damaged by the cyclone Amphan, the tide is still flowing in many areas of Satkhira coast of Bangladesh. As a result, thousands of families are living in the flood-prone coastal villages along the river. Due to lack of space in the shelter, many people in the affected areas are forced to live on the high embankment. Under the leadership of local people’s representatives, the locals are continuing the work of constructing an alternative ring dam at the voluntary ashram at the breakage point. However, if permanent and sustainable embankments are not constructed quickly, many coastal villages will be lost in the riverbed.
Most of the embankments in Burigoalini, Gabura, Padmapukur, Kashimari and Asashuni upazilas of Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, Pratapnagar, Sriula and Anulia union of Satkhira have been flooded due to strong tide of Kopotaksh river and Kholpetua river. Although the locals have taken initiative to repair these damaged dams on the basis of voluntary work led by the local people’s representatives, even though 25 days have passed, it has not been possible to build dams at the breakage points in many areas. In some areas, locals have built alternative ring dams in the voluntary shelters, but due to the high tide of the river, it broke again and disappeared into the river. As a result, most of the areas of Kashimari Union in Shyamnagar of Satkhira, Banyatala of Padmapukur and Pratapnagar of Asashuni and a part of Sriula Union are still experiencing regular tides. The people of these areas are being severely affected due to the low tide in the vast areas of Pratapnagar Union.
According to the locals, ring dams were set up at several breach points in groups but most of the dams were breached again due to strong tides and the area was flooded. When the river is still tidal in the whole union, water enters the locality, and again the water goes down at low tide. Regular tides have damaged all fish farms in these areas of Satkhira and other establishments. Water is still entering the locality through the breakdown of Chakla, Kurikahunia and Harishkhali points. Many permanent coastal areas will be lost from the map of Bangladesh if permanent and sustainable embankments are not constructed quickly.
On the other hand, the people’s representatives of the area are utterly neglecting the livelihood of the Banavasi people. That is what the people of the affected area in Amphane said. They are in dire straits as relief has not reached them properly.
Meanwhile, relief materials have been distributed among 500 helpless families in the flood-hit areas of Amphan. On Tuesday morning, relief materials were distributed by former Health Minister of Bangladesh Prof. Dr. AFM Ruhul Haque MP.
