People repair dyke in Gaibandha voluntarily

People repairing the erosion-affected embankment of the Bangali river at Balua in Mohimaganj, Gobindaganj upazila. PHOTO: STAR

Local people are working in shifts, erecting bamboo groynes and dumping sandbags to protect the embankment threatened with rising water level of the river.

Erosion by the Bangali river intensified there in the past few days. Local people said at least 40 villages in the area will be inundated if the embankment gives in.

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Abdul Latif Prodhan, an Awami League leader and Chairman of Mahimaganj Union Parishad while talking to this correspondent said that the relief ministry allocated 20 tonnes of rice in January for renovation of the embankment under a special programme. But the rice was later diverted to nearby Rakhal Buruj union, as desired by local BNP lawmaker Abdul Mottaleb Akanda.

"It is a politically motivated disparity because the people elected me", Prodhan alleged.

On June 25, a public call was make through loud speakers to protect the embankment voluntarily. Several hundred people of all sections spontaneously joined hands. They came with spades, baskets and collected bambooes and gunny bags and started the renovation work.

Nearly 200 people of the area have been working in shifts now.

Lawmaker Abdul Mottaleb Akanda, when contacted, denied the allegation. "Distribution of rice is made on priority basis", he said.