High tide still haunts Patuakhali town

Banik Patti road in Patuakhalim town went under knee-deep water on Tuesday. PHOTO: STAR

The project is awaiting approval for eight years.

The project includes construction of 4.20 KM flood control embankment, eight sluice gates for drainage of water, 38 outlets, construction of one kilometre wall and installation of four power pumps.

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The project was designed to protect the town from flash flood and erosion and remove stagnant water.

The project was taken up after the visit of the then agriculture minister Majid-ul-Haque and Water Development Board (WDB) secretary to Patuakhali in 1997.

The water resources ministry okayed the project in 2001 but it is awaiting approval by the ECNEC (Executive Committee of National Economic Council), WDB sources here said.

Most of the town is inundated even after a shower or a normal rise in water level of Patuakhali and Lohalia rivers during high tide.

The most vulnerable areas in the town are Puran Bazar, Katpatti, Nabab Para, Shimulbagh, Muslimpara, Adalatpara, College Road area, Sabujbagh, Kalikapur and Jainkali, where boats ply alongside rickshaws during after high tide or rain, causing sufferings to about 50,000 people in these areas.

The town is surrounded by Patuakhali river on the north and Lohalia river on the east. Waters from the rivers surge into the town whenever they rise.

"I cook (food) during low tide and feed my children and husband during high tide", housewife Putul of Nabab Para joked while taking to this correspondent.

She said their house including the kitchen is inundated during high ties.