BSS, Khulna :Most of the Aila victims who became homeless after Aila cyclone five years ago, have returned to their homes. On May 25, 2009, at least 190 people were killed and several thousand houses washed away by tidal surge of seawater as the cyclonic storm codenamed ‘Aila,’ roaring with a high speed, hit the country’s coastal belt including Khulna.Thousands of people returned to their homes at Koyra and Dakop upazilas under Khulna as Water Development Board (WDB) repaired and constructed sluice gates, polders and embankments in two upazilas in last five years.Local sources said, an estimated 45,000 people of 8,500 families had built their new homes in two upazilas so far.Over 70 percent of the people of these areas who have migrated from the region after Aila, returned back to their home and had engaged with paddy, seasonal crops, vegetables and fish cultivation four years ago, said Nurul Haque, lawmaker of Khulna- 6 constituency.Polders stretching up to 10 kms in length in Koyra and Dakop were damaged by the storm at some 30 points. The Water Development Board (WDB) has carried out repair works and completed those, said executive engineer Muzibur Rahman of the Board. “We have constructed of 23.5 km embankments, 22.7 km safety closures and 16 sluice gates and have repaired 22.5 km embankment and 56 sluice gates in last five years,” he said.To mark the day, different socio-cultural organizations including Aila Durgoto Mancha has chalked out elaborate programmes. The programme includes, discussion meeting, doa mahfil and paying tributes at mass graves of the Aila victims.
