Kuakata Cut Off
1,500km roads damaged by Sidr in 2 coastal dists
Road communication in two coastal districts of Patuakhali and Barguna still remained disrupted after hurricane Sidr. This is because of damage of over 1,500 kilometre (km) roads by the natural calamity.
Many places of the two districts are cut off from rest of the country. Kuakata-Kalapara road is yet to be reopened for traffic due to inoperation of ferry service in Mohipur.
The hurricane washed away about 600 km flood control embankment in the districts.
In Patuakhali district, more than 830 km roads were badly damaged. Of them, 160 km roads in Sadar upazila, 155 km in Mirzaganj, 270 km in Kalapara, 130 km in Galachipa, 80 km in Dashmina and 60 km in Baufal.
About 275 km flood control embankment has been washed away in the district. Of them, 55 km damaged totally and 220 km partially.
In Barguna district, over 500 km roads were badly damaged and 250 km flood control embankment was washed away.
A portion of Mirzaganj-Barguna road stretching over 5 km area was washed away. Amtali-Barguna road is also unfit for traffic as pontoons and gangways of the lone ferry sank in the Pairra.
Pontoons and gangways of one out of three ferries have been shifted from another place to restore communication on the Kalapara-Kuakata road.
On contact, the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) executive engineer Abdus Salam said, 'We are trying to restore road communication with Kuakata as early as possible.'
While contacted, the Water Development Board (WDB) executive engineer Jahir Uddin said 'We have submitted a Tk 490 crore proposed plan (PP) to the Water Resources Ministry for approval on emergency basis.
People of the two hurricane affected districts are suffering a lot due to bad shape of the roads. Relief operation in the two coastal districts is also being hampered because of the phenomenon.
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