Our Correspondent :
A strong tidal surge due to active monsoon conditions has given rise to the water levels of the Shibsa, Kapotakkho and Koyra rivers in Khulna, causing collapse in the protection embankments in the already disaster-stricken coastal district.
Twelve villages in Koyra and Paikgachha upazila, which were already severely damaged by cyclone Amphan and recent floods, have once again been flooded by this tidal surge.
As a result, around 50,000 people have been seriously affected in Kazi Para, Putihari, Harinkhola, Kashir Hat Khola, Ghatakhali, Koyra 2, Koyra 3, Gobra and Bedkashi under Koyra and Mazrabad, Bayerjhapa and Tengramari under Paikgachha.
Residents in Koyra said the Kapotakkho and Koyra rivers had been on a steady rise for the past few days. The rivers overflowed over the Ring Dam and flooded the upazila on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a strong tidal surge in the Shibsha River breached the embankment and flooded Mazrabad, Bayerjhapa and Tengramari in Paikgachha the same day, prompting its residents to spend the whole night repairing the river embankment themselves.
Locals spent all night repairing the embankment in Bayardhapa of Paikgachha upazila in Khulna on Wednesday Dhaka Tribune
It has been three months since the horrific cyclone Amphan wreaked havoc in Koyra and Paikgachha and its residents have not yet been able to return to normal life. As of Thursday, every house in these two upazilas was submerged in at least 3-4ft of floodwater.
Koyra Upazila Parishad Chairman Shafiqul Islam said the dams at Ghatakhali, Koira 2 and 3 had collapsed due to a sudden tidal surge, inundating nine villages. “Locals are working to repair the embankment to protect their homes.” Koyra Upazila Nirbahi Officer Animesh Biswas said: “Necessary repairs will be possible on the affected embankments once the high tide recedes. For now, sandbags are being provided for voluntary embankment protection work.”
Meanwhile, due to high tides, the already dilapidated Wapda embankment in Bayerjhapa also collapsed, flooding a vast region in Mazrabad, Bayerjhapa and Tengramari on Wednesday.
As a result, at least 250 shrimp enclosures were washed away and 15,000 people were subjected to serious waterlogging issues. Soladana Union Parishad Chairman SM Enamul Haque said that locals had worked till late Wednesday night and repaired the collapsed embankment in Bhangaharia.
Paikgachha Upazila Nirbahi Officer ABM Khalid Hossain Siddiqui was present at the spot and provided encouragement to the people.
Md Fariduddin, deputy assistant of the Khulna Water Development Board, said: “The dam had been repaired four times before by both administration and local efforts. But due to lack of sustainable repairs, the dam collapses repeatedly, causing tidal water to enter Paikgachha. Meanwhile, Tk3 lakh has been allocated for repairing the permanent dams.”
Paikgachha UNO ABM Khalid Hossain Siddiqui said: “The tidal water has stopped entering the affected areas since the embankment was repaired through local efforts on Wednesday night. Emergency measures will be undertaken to establish sustainable dams here.”
A strong tidal surge due to active monsoon conditions has given rise to the water levels of the Shibsa, Kapotakkho and Koyra rivers in Khulna, causing collapse in the protection embankments in the already disaster-stricken coastal district.
Twelve villages in Koyra and Paikgachha upazila, which were already severely damaged by cyclone Amphan and recent floods, have once again been flooded by this tidal surge.
As a result, around 50,000 people have been seriously affected in Kazi Para, Putihari, Harinkhola, Kashir Hat Khola, Ghatakhali, Koyra 2, Koyra 3, Gobra and Bedkashi under Koyra and Mazrabad, Bayerjhapa and Tengramari under Paikgachha.
Residents in Koyra said the Kapotakkho and Koyra rivers had been on a steady rise for the past few days. The rivers overflowed over the Ring Dam and flooded the upazila on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a strong tidal surge in the Shibsha River breached the embankment and flooded Mazrabad, Bayerjhapa and Tengramari in Paikgachha the same day, prompting its residents to spend the whole night repairing the river embankment themselves.
Locals spent all night repairing the embankment in Bayardhapa of Paikgachha upazila in Khulna on Wednesday Dhaka Tribune
It has been three months since the horrific cyclone Amphan wreaked havoc in Koyra and Paikgachha and its residents have not yet been able to return to normal life. As of Thursday, every house in these two upazilas was submerged in at least 3-4ft of floodwater.
Koyra Upazila Parishad Chairman Shafiqul Islam said the dams at Ghatakhali, Koira 2 and 3 had collapsed due to a sudden tidal surge, inundating nine villages. “Locals are working to repair the embankment to protect their homes.” Koyra Upazila Nirbahi Officer Animesh Biswas said: “Necessary repairs will be possible on the affected embankments once the high tide recedes. For now, sandbags are being provided for voluntary embankment protection work.”
Meanwhile, due to high tides, the already dilapidated Wapda embankment in Bayerjhapa also collapsed, flooding a vast region in Mazrabad, Bayerjhapa and Tengramari on Wednesday.
As a result, at least 250 shrimp enclosures were washed away and 15,000 people were subjected to serious waterlogging issues. Soladana Union Parishad Chairman SM Enamul Haque said that locals had worked till late Wednesday night and repaired the collapsed embankment in Bhangaharia.
Paikgachha Upazila Nirbahi Officer ABM Khalid Hossain Siddiqui was present at the spot and provided encouragement to the people.
Md Fariduddin, deputy assistant of the Khulna Water Development Board, said: “The dam had been repaired four times before by both administration and local efforts. But due to lack of sustainable repairs, the dam collapses repeatedly, causing tidal water to enter Paikgachha. Meanwhile, Tk3 lakh has been allocated for repairing the permanent dams.”
Paikgachha UNO ABM Khalid Hossain Siddiqui said: “The tidal water has stopped entering the affected areas since the embankment was repaired through local efforts on Wednesday night. Emergency measures will be undertaken to establish sustainable dams here.”
