Over 25, 000 people at 20 villages along the silted Betrabati River in Satkhira Sadar upazila have remained marooned since July 24 as water that entered the villages overflowing the banks of the rain-fed river has not yet receded.
Due to heavy downpour in the last couple of days, suffering of the affected villagers has increased manifolds.
The affected villages are Damarpota, Bagdangi, Ziala, Bardal, Shalley, Machchkhola, Dahakula, Baldepara, Rajbari, Hajipur, Tujalpur, Hasimpur, Devnagar, Akhrakhola, Amtala, Gharchala, Rajnagar, Duttabag, Shibnagar and Devnagar in Sadar upazila.
Satkhira-Akhrakhola road, Jhhowdanga-Rajbari road, and Damarpota-Satkhira road are still under water, causing immense trouble to the commuters.
Farmers in the areas said they will suffer a big loss as standing second block boro on about 2000 acres of land in the villages has gone under water.
Under heavy pressure of water during rainy season, the silted river Betrabati overflows its banks and inundates the areas. Water logging in most parts of the area persists for over a month. Stagnant water pollutes environment, causes health hazards and damage to crops.
While visiting the affected areas yesterday, Samsur Rahman of Damarpota village told this correspondent that he cultivated second block boro on eight bighas of land that is still under water. "I have to incur huge loss as I took lease of the land from other villagers," he said.
Balli union Parishad (UP) Chairman Habibur Rahman and some other villagers said there is no scope to cultivate aman and other crops as water will remain stagnant in the affected villages for over a month.
They said local administration is yet to take necessary measures to mitigate their sufferings.
Meanwhile, incessant rain caused the silted Kobadak River to overflow its banks on Monday and flood Tala upazila headquarters.
Around 20,000 townspeople face immense trouble as most of the roads have gone under three to four feet water.
Smooth functioning at the government offices, banks and educational institutions is being hampered as those have been inundated. Tala upazila Bhaban has gone under three to four feet water.
People living in the low lying areas of the town also face immense trouble as water entered their houses.
Source : The Daily Star
