Tuesday's Tidal Surge
50 shrimp farms, crops on 2000 acres damaged in Patuakhali
Our Correspondent, Patuakhali
The tidal surge that swept the coast Wednesday night washed away shrimps from at least 50 farms and damaged crops on about 2,000 acres in 12 villages in Patuakhali Sadar and Baufal upazilas, according to official estimate available here yesterday.The loss of shrimp farms is yet to be ascertained, Upazila Project Implementation Officer Shahidul Islam told this correspondent. The tidal surge entered the villages as the Lohalia river dam constructed by Water Development Board collapsed at Shoula village in Sadar upazila Wednesday night during the tidal surge, officials said. The affected villages are Shoula, Kakrabunia, Idrakpur, Pajakhali, Palerdanga, Nazirpur, Kuripaika, Pratappur and Vaila in Sadar upazila and Bamnikathi and Adabaria in Baufal upazila. Crops like maize, grand nut, sweet potato on about 2,000 acres were totally damaged, Monir Rahman, chairman of Kamlapur Union Parishad in Sadar upazila told this correspondent. The WDB constructed the sluice on Shoula canal at a cost of Tk 25 lakh in 2000. local people claimed that areas near the sluice gate have become more vulnerable as it was not carefully planned after survey. Farmers Hanif, Motiur and Abdul Khaleq of the area said at least three sluice gates should be constructed to control the pressure of water and protect the dam. Our dwelling houses also went under tidal water, villagers told this correspondent during a visit yesterday.. No WDB official visit the affected area till yesterday, Kamlapur UP chairman said. When contacted, the WDB Executive Engineer said Zahir Uddin Ahmed said, "We have submitted a proposal involving Tk 15 lakh to repair the sluice gate". Work for repair of the breached embankment will start as soon as funds will be available, he said.
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Inundated croplands in Patuakhali Sadar upazila following breach of Lohalia river embankment at Shoula village Wednesday night. PHOTO: STAR |
