Rains, tidal surges intensify people’s suffering in several districts

Heavy rainfall, tidal surge coupled with storms have caused immense sufferings to the people of Jessore, Chandpur, Feni and a few other districts.
Due to onrush of water from upper riparian India, water flows at Muhuri and Kahua rivers busted their banks, inundating low-lying areas in many parts in Feni district.
Besides, the water flows on the Padma (Ganges in India) River was rising and the trend might continue for the next 48 hours starting from Monday morning, said flood forecasting and warning center officials.
Dhaka Met said that light to moderate rain and or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind was likely to occur at a few places over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet divisions. Some places might have moderately heavy falls too, Met added.
New Age correspondent in Jessore reported that several thousand people of Jessore, especially of Bhabadah affected areas, were displaced due to Sunday and Monday’s heavy rainfall.
Rain submerged a vast area of land at Jessore town, Nawapara industrial town, Benapole port town and Bhabadah affected Abhaynagar, Manirampur and Keshabpur.
Bhabadah affected people had been suffering from devastating water clogging since August 11 due to torrential rain. Hundreds of houses, many educational institutions and a large area of cropland went under water.
Referring to locals Iqbal Kabir Jahid, adviser, Bhabadah Movement Committee told New Age that about ten lakh people were affected in the water clogging in three upazilas, Abhaynagar, Manirampur and Keshabpur.
Bhabadah Movement Committee earlier had announced a five-day agitation programme beginning from today, demanding draining out of water immediately.
The programmes include holding of rallies, forming human chains and submitting memorandum to the water resources minister through UNO, Jahid added.
Kamrul Haque Liku, joint secretary, National Democratic Front, Jessore district unit demanded that the Bhabadah affected areas be declared as a disaster area.
New Age Correspondent in Bhola reported that a cargo vessel capsized after being caught by a tornado at Patarchar area in Tetulia river under Burhanuddin upazila.
The cargo loaded with 2,080 bags of cement was going to Bhola from Narayanganj on Sunday. Some fishermen rescued the captain of the cargo, Sayeed and his associates, Asad and Shahid.
The senior officials of Akij Cement visited the spot on Monday while Burhanuddin police is coordinating a salvage operation.
New Age correspondent in Chandpur reported that a depression in the Bay of Bengal caused the tidal surge that inundated Chandpur Baro station area. The town protecting embankment was partly damaged due to the abrupt surge.
The executive director of Bangladesh water development board, Ataur Rahman, said that Padma-Meghna rivers suddenly turned rough due to the storm.
New Age correspondent in Feni reported that embankments in Muhuri and Kahua rivers got broken at four locations due to the rains and onrush of water from hills that inundated some 10 villages in Fulgazi and Parshuram upazials.
Water development board executive director at Feni, Kohinur Alam, said embankments stretching 200 feet were damaged at Uttar Shaldhar area by the swollen waters. He said they are working to protect the embankment from further damage.
The broken part of the embankment would be repaired after the water recedes, he said.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net