Hundreds still under open sky, survival their prime concern

The authorities have neither taken any step to rebuild the damaged schools and madrassas nor made alternative arrangements for their schooling.

During a visit to the areas yesterday and the day before, this correspondent saw most of the affected people could not yet erect makeshift sheds. Many of them said they did not get any CI sheet to raise sheds.

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It was gathered that about 1250 families have been provided with two bundles of CI sheet each and 4,715 are still left out.

The government allocated 2,600 bundles CI sheets for the tornado victims, which is too inadequate to the need, sources including local body leaders said.

Some people were seen sheltered under polythene sheds fixed on cane structures, only to protect themselves from sun and rain.

About 1400 families are sheltered temporarily in 500 tents supplied by the district administration. Three or more families are huddling under each tent. Those who could not manage a big polythene sheet or avail the chance to get into a tent are under the open sky.

While visiting Dakkhin Shabaj village under Sarbanado union on Monday, a number of affected people complained that they have not yet receive any CI sheet or house building grant, other than 20 kilograms of rice.

Over 800 families in this village were made homeless by the tornado but only 150 got CI sheets. Arranging a meal in a day is their prime concern now, they said.

"We are four families in a tent. We shelter only our children inside", said Jobeda Begum, a housewife in Dakkhin Sahabaj village.

Seventy year-old Sakhina of Nayapara village said, "I don't know why I did not get any house building material".

Quddus Ali of the same village said sheltering the women and children from rain and sun is his prime concern. He did not get any CI sheet.

A total of 14.20 km power line has been destroyed by the tornado in three unions. PDB and Palli Biddut Samity (Rural Electrification Board) men are working to restore power supply.

IRRI-Boro crops in the areas are being affected for want of power as 30 transformers were damaged by the tornado.

According to a field survey conducted by local NGO Gano Unnayan Kendro, tornado damaged 2,814 thatched huts, 5,852 tin-shed houses, 120 buildings and 1,305 tube-wells.

The tornado completely damaged six high schools, four madrasas and 17 primary schools in Dhopadanaga, Sarbnada and Naldanga unions in Sadaullapur upazila alone. At many places there is not even a sign of school as the tornado blew away its roofs, fencing and furniture, said Sadullapur UNO Farid Ahmed.

At least 15 school children died in the tornado and over 100 others were injured. Nine of them are still being treated at makeshift medical centres.

About 7,850 school children lost their books and education equipment.

The UNO said of the affected students, at least 4000 are from utrapoor families, who cannot afford to buy books and equipment now.

"We are not thinking about education of children as survival is our prime concern now", said Abul Kalam of Khamar Dashalia village.

"It will not be possible to arrange books for the tornado hit areas. However, we will try to manage the problem, but it will take time", said District Education Officer Azher Ali.

"The damaged schoolhouse should be rebuilt immediately. Otherwise the number of dropout students will increase", said Abul Hossain, Headmaster of Khanmar Dashalia High School.

"But we can not say when my school will be rebuilt", said Abul Basher, Headmaster of Kismat Haldia High School.