Thousands marooned in Khulna as dam develops breaches

Crops on 18,000 acres of land, seedbeds, shrimp enclosures and fish farms have gone under water in Batiaghata Sadar, Gangarampur and Shurkhali unions.

All educational institutions have been closed as those have gone under four to five feet water.

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The floodwater has also inundated the upazila headquarter, snapping its road links with other areas and between Dakop and Khulna.

Breaches in the one kilometre WAPDA embankment were caused due to erosion by Kazibacha and Sholmari rivers following pressure of water from the upstream.

More than 100 livestock are reported washed away.

The marooned people are suffering from lack of food and drinking water, it is reported.

It is alleged that WAPDA did not take any effective measure to protect the embankment. WAPDA authorities said there was a Tk seven crore scheme to protect the embankment but it could not be implemented due to fund shortage. Sixty metric tonnes of rice were allocated earlier for the purpose under food-for-work programme, said Babu Panchanon Biswas, MP from Dakop Batiaghata constituency.

Hundreds of men and women are working to mend the breaches.

Babu Panchanon Biswas, leaders of all political parties, high officials of the district administration, UNO Ashraful Islam and some NGOs have joined the people.

The local people have demanded intervention by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to save Batiadanga.

Meanwhile, erosion by Atrai river in Terokhada upazila continued.

Bodies of two out of six persons washed away by Atrai river waters on Monday a breach in its embankment were recovered on Wednesday. The bodies have been identified as those Renuka Bagchi and Mantu.

At least 100 houses were washed away and 25 shrimp enclosures inundated by waters gushing through the breach at Patgati village. Over 300 people have become homeless.

The homeless people have taken shelter at Patgati Primary School where relief goods did not reach till Thursday night.

M Nurul Islam MP, Deputy Commissioner Restadul Islam and the UNO of Terokhada visited the affected areas on Thursday.