30 Bagerhat villages, 4 in Satkhira inundated due to high tides, embankment collapse

At least 30 villages in Bagerhat were inundated due to abnormally high tidal waters today (July 15), while four villages in Satkhira were flooded following the collapse of an embankment.

In Bagerhat, tidal waters this morning rose about three-four feet higher compared to normal in the 30 villages under Morrelgonj and Rampal upazilas of the district, causing waterlogging, reports our Bagerhat correspondent.

Several fish enclosures have also been submerged in tidal waters.

The water level of the Panguchi River in Morrelganj increased by three-four feet, inundating several areas of Morrelgonj municipality.

Md Masum Billah, executive engineer of Bagerhat Water Development Board confirmed the developments to The Daily Star.

Locals have demanded the construction of a ring dam in the flooded area to solve the problem. The Water Development Board said it will identify the affected areas and make proposals for the construction of embankments.

"Mainly due to lack of embankments in these areas, tidal water is easily entering and inundating the localities. Project proposals will be made to identify the affected areas and prevent tidal water. If the project is approved, it will be executed quickly," said Masum.

Locals are suffering due to waterlogging following abnormally high tide in Bagerhat. Photo: Partha Chakrabortty

In Satkhira, four villages in Shyamnagar upazila were flooded after a 150-feet embankment of the WDB on the Kholpetua River, on the eastern side of the Durgabati Cyclone Shelter, collapsed last night, reports our Satkhira correspondent.

Hundreds of villagers were marooned in the floodwater while it inundated croplands and washed away shrimp enclosures during the high tide, said Nazrul Islam, chairman of Burigoalini union parishad in the upazila.

"The dam was in otherwise good condition even yesterday morning. Suddenly yesterday afternoon, one-and-half-meter of the dam collapsed severely. By around 10:00 pm the damage to the dam was significant," said Neelkanto Raptan, former member of Burigoalini UP.

People are yet to overcome their losses from Cyclone Yaas that hit the area in May last year. The main occupation of the people of this area is shrimp and crab farming.

Former district council member Dalim Ghorami said many shrimp and crab farms over an area of 2,500 bighas have been submerged in water.

Masud Rana, branch officer of Water Development Board in Shyamnagar Upazila, said the repair work of the dam will likely begin today.