When cyclone ‘Amphan’ ravaged the coastal districts on Wednesday night, it damaged about 150km flood control embankments and caused cracks in at least 84 others, leading to an estimated damage of Tk 250-300 crore, according to Water Resources Ministry soruces.
Every time a cyclone hits the coast, parts of the embankments collapse causing flooding and destruction of properties affecting the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people every year as natural disasters like flood and cyclone are very common in deltaic Bangladesh. Locals for this reason are demanding sustainable embankments in order to protect their lives and minimise damage in the affected areas.
Cyclone Amphan damaged lives, livelihood, agriculture, infrastructures, environment, as well as the Sundarbans, in the southwestern region.
UNB photo journalist visited Napitkhali area in Gabura union under Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira and found at least three spots where embankment collapsed due to tidal surge during the cyclone.
Several hundred houses were flooded as river protection embankment on Kholpetua River collapsed.
Cyclone ‘Amphan’ battered Shyamnagar upazila near the Sundarbans with wind speed of 160-180 kph along with over 10 feet tidal surge.
Embankments under Water Development Board (WDB) at 25 points in Shyamnagar, Ashashuni, Debhata, Kaliganj and Sadar upazila in Satkhira collapsed.
Shyamnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer ANM Abujor Gifari said 25km embankment, 15km roads were damaged in his upazila while 30,000 hectares shrimp farms were flooded.
A least 5,000 livestock were killed during the cyclone, UNO added.
Locals on Thursday said they do not want relief materials and demanded sustainable embankments so that they do not have to suffer the horror every time.
This house was not damaged but its surroundings were affected badly by the cyclone in Shyamnagar upazila.
Locals trying to save the embankment on Kholpetua River voluntarily in Napitkhali area under Gabura union.
Water entered the village after an embankment collapsed on Wednesday night in Satkhira.
The tin-shed roof of this house was blown away during the cyclone on Wednesday night.
Locals tried hard but failed to protect the muddy embankment. They make another attempt at saving the embankment on Kholpetua River in Napitkhali area in Shyamnagar upazila.
(Source: UNB)
